Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Time 3.00p.m.-5.00p.m, March 1st, 2012
Suites 1 and 2, Brindley Court, Gresley Road
Warndon, WORCESTER, WR4 9FD
A G E N D A
1. Welcome, introduction and apologies- Peter Pawsey
2. Minutes of the Board meeting of 5th January 2012
3. Matters Arising
· Action List
· Approvals
- UKTI Inward Investment MoU
- Growing Places Fund allocations
- Rural Growth Network
4. Chair's report
5. Executive Director’s Report (verbal report)
Business Board Report
Business Plan Timetable
6. Feedback from Board Training Away Day Discussion
7. Feedback from the Conference Discussion
8. Events
· Forthcoming Events
· Harriet Baldwin March 30, 2012
· British Bankers Association 26th April
· Employment and Skills Board Workshops
9. Start Up and Capacity Fund - Position statement (figures)
10. Date and times of next meetings at the LEP Headquarters
Thursday 29th March 2012 at 3:30p.m to 5:30p.m (TBC)
Thursday 26th April 2012 at 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Thursday 14th June 2012 at 3.30pm to 5.30pm
11. Any Other Business
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Thursday, 5th January 2012 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
AMS Group, 20-21 Padgets LaneSouth Moons Moat,, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 0RA
MINUTES
PRESENT:
Peter Pawsey (Chair) Chairman Robert West and Director Midland Heart
Cllr. Carole Gandy Leader Redditch MBC representing North Worcestershire Districts
Cllr. Simon Geraghty Deputy Leader and representing Worcestershire County Council
Cllr. Phillip Grove Leader Malvern Hills DC representing South Worcestershire Districts
Alan White Chief Executive Malvern Hills Science Park
John Callaghan Principle of North East College representing Prof David Green
Ed Webb Executive Chairman Webb’s of Wychbold
Richard Soper MD Bosch Thermotechnology
IN ATTENDANCE:
Clare Mitchell Worcestershire County Council
Gary Woodman Worcestershire LEP
APOLOGIES
Tony Hyde MD Thomas Vale Construction
1. / Welcome and IntroductionThe Chair wished the board members a Happy New Year, and thanked Jim Clark for hosting today's meeting at AMS Group. The Chair informed the board that they were to thank Paul Sampson and Jane Rigley for their involvement with the LEP in 2011 and he will do this personally.
2. / Minutes of the Board meeting – Thursday, 17th November 2011
A correction on page 4, the 4th paragraph - should read “AW commented that the Malvern Hills Science Park was submitting a separate response to the South Worcestershire Development Plan” - not the Malvern Hills District Council.
The Minutes were agreed as a true record.
3. / Matters Arising
Register of Interests Protocol – All forms had been returned by Board members.
Inward Investment MoU – this has been approved by the business board and public sector representatives. However the counties inward investment strategy is being developed, and this needs to be in place before signing the MoU.
AW commented that the “Government Business Rate Retention scheme”, was geared towards District Council providing large employment premises.
PP said that although inward investors tend to require large premises. Its to be the focus for the Place Shaping Group, and the LEP to create development. These are balanced and create a commercial property portfolio, in the right locations for large companies, as well as start up companies covering all sectors.
BIS economist - A programme of activity was being created for Tom Griffiths from BIS to spend the week in Worcestershire.
South Worcestershire Development Plan - The LEP response was submitted.
Approvals – The Chair commented on behalf of the board, the successful bids for Evesham Bridge and Phase 1 of the Worcester Transport Strategy. This totalled £22.8m investment into the transport sector, in turn proved to be a positive result for the county.
It was noted that the County Broadband Plan had been submitted for £3.5m, however, this has been matched by £8.5m from Worcestershire County Council.
The Resource and Energy Efficiency Programme had been successfully bid for, as a result the programme would likely start April 2012.
GW informed the meeting that the trade and inward investment subgroup, had met and started to develop a draft of an inward investment strategy. This strategy needs to be in place before we sign the MoU. As we need to identify the role and responsibilities of the different stakeholders. It was agreed that the strategy will come before the Board at the next meeting. / Inward Investment Strategy to come to the next Board meeting - GW
4. / Chairs Report
The report was noted by the Board. PP outlined the nature of the meetings with the MPs and Minister’s, which he had represented the Worcestershire LEP.
PP commented on the positive nature of the Redditch Business Leaders meetings, and the progress that had been made following the views of the businesses.
CG reported that she had been out to see a number of the larger businesses in Redditch. This had a positive outcome, in moving forward with a number of individual company issues.
PP highlighted the LEP network meeting, where GW and himself had attended. In terms of content this was not very productive. However, the discussion with other LEP representatives highlighted how much we are all in a similar position.
EW asked what was the view of the Worcestershire MP’s of the LEP. PP commented that they were supportive, and had been kept up to date with progress being made.
5. / Business Board Report
GW outlined that the Business Board had not met since the last Board meeting.
The Business Board had undertaken an extensive survey with Worcestershire businesses, to gain their views on the planning process.
The results of the survey were noted.
PP outlined that the red carpet treatment is very important in creating a competitive advantage for an area. Some of the issues the survey outlined were regarding the handling of applications by the district councils. At that time were taking about 8 weeks. However, the time between pre-application and decision were far too slow. This is often not the fault of planners, but sometimes the applicant. The survey identified that the statutory consultees were by far the worst. The Highways Agency, Environment Agency, Sport England and English Nature were always looking for ‘gold plated’ solutions, and that needed to change. This was a point that PP had made to Ministers, in particular Eric Pickles.
SG highlighted the need that we need to speak with one voice through the LEP on this issue, as the public sector had similar concerns.
AW commented that the agencies in the current climate need to be pragmatic.
PP highlight that the next chairs meeting for the West Midlands LEPs, is to discuss this issue at the end of January.
GW commented that before Mark Middleton retired, he had progressed at MoU with the County Chief Planning Officers. This draft was detailed in the board papers. GW expressed concerns that had been made to him, in regards to the document reflecting the ‘status quo’. We need to speed up the processing time with reference to the application process.
PG acknowledged this comment, and believed its to be subjected to a review after 6 months, with precision and effectiveness to be paramount. It was agreed that GW should progress the MoU with the support of TH.
Business Board Sub Groups
Jaguar Land Rover working group – Nick Scroggs from a Redditch based business, working with GW, would be attending a meeting of the West Midlands LEPs inc Liverpool. This group lead by Warwick Business School, was looking at the JLR development and seeing how automotive businesses could benefit within the supply chain.
AW reported that the Access to Finance sub group had met to discuss seed capital. Also links had been made to the Regional Finance Forum. / Action GW
6. / Open for Business Survey
CM provided an overview of the process the county had been undertaking. The feedback pertained to priorities and conclusions. This became prevalent after communicating with the residents and businesses, it was their overall concerns.
This work highlighted that main “Open for Business” priorities are:
– Supporting the growth of existing Worcestershire businesses
– Bringing new companies to Worcestershire
– Providing financial incentives through reducing business rates
However the key to this work was the question, what next? And from a communications point of view – You say this, “We are now doing this in response”.
AW highlighted the need to respond to this survey, as it was immensely important that residents and businesses had the same goal.
SG commented that the business development of a ‘one stop shop service’. As a result, improvement is needed for delivery of information to businesses, and a ‘red carpet’ service is a must.
Further investigative work will be undertaken by WCC, outcomes will be reported to the board.
7. / Outline of the Strategic Priorities for the LEP
GW outlined priority issues that the LEP should cover. This was a bullet point list at this stage. The aim of this bullet point list, was to show the areas of activity. The way forward with this list, is to comprise a current position statement on each theme. Then work amongst the stakeholders to identify an action plan, which would highlight the lead agency. Measureable objectives is the key contribution to the LEP.
The Board discussed a number of points, these included:
Priority was the need for a hotel, if the county is to develop a positive tourism and business trade. This was to include Worcester city, and the north of the county.
Marketing Worcestershire – across an area which included locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. RS suggested that we needed to answer the question of “Why Worcestershire,” then create a strategic plan to move us from where we are now, to where we want to be.
CG highlighted that the “Why Worcestershire” question had been asked at the Shenstone group and Leaders group.
The VCS and 3rd Sector, was particularly focused on social enterprise.
Skills and improving the dialogue between business and training providers.
PP asked if board members had any more thoughts. If so then are to send them via to GW. / Thoughts on the strategic list to GW
8. / The Growing Places Fund
Following the board meeting in November a sub group with PP met with BIS (Ian Smith) on 1st December. They were given a clear direction on what was being sought after by the PQQ. With their combining process, emphasis on governance, accountability, ensuring generation of economic growth and pay back- not on providing a definitive list of schemes.
After the meeting on 1st December LEP Board members were provided with an outline. This period of which it took place was through December and January. This included the PQQ being signed off by a LEP Board sub group on Friday 16th December, attended by Ed Webb, Tony King, Gary Woodman, Clare Mitchell and Sue Crow, with comments provided by David Greer on the draft.
The approval of the PQQ will trigger the release of funds to the accountable body (Worcestershire County Council) from January.
Eleven (11) persons expressed Interest. Being that evaluation is the criteria, it was to be recommended that five (5) projects were to be interviewed, by the sub group.
The following result was after a discussion by the Board, in reference to criteria and scoring, it was agreed that seven (7) projects would be interviewed.
· Hoobrook Link Road, Kidderminster
· Keytec Link Road, Pershore
· Blackmore Park, Malvern
· Springhill Farms, Pershore
· Berry Hill, Droitwich
· University Park, Worcester
· Cricket Club Hotel, Worcester
The Board delegated that the assessment and decision process was to be assigned to sub group, this was strategically signed off by PP. / Action GW to set up the sub group interviews and reduce the shortlist to agreed growing places projects.
9. / Events
LEP Board Training Away Day
GW outlined the proposed Board training away day. It was agreed that the session needed to be facilitated. GW agreed to gain three (3) quotes for this work and make a quick decision on the facilitator for this session.
RS suggested that the meeting with the business board and key public sector stakeholders, should take place the night before. He offered Worcester Bosch facilities to host the Board away day. As a result would reduce the cost for the training away day.
The Board agreed to accept this kind offer. GW is to progress the Board Training Away Day under this new structure.
LEP Conference
The Board members noted the current proposal for the LEP conference, and the need for this event to communicate with a wider business audience. It was agreed that we would speak to Cecil Duckworth to see whether Worcester Bosch 50th year, accommodate us in being our key note speaker. The attendance of the Minister is still a working project.
Forthcoming Events
PP highlighted a change on 23rd Jan – it was the All Party Parliamentary Committee for Local Growth, LEP’s and Enterprise Zones.
The Board noted the future meetings. / Action GW to gain quotes for the facilitator.
Action GW
Action GW.
10. / Skills Update on Activity
The Board noted the progression on skills, therefore were in favour of setting up the Worcestershire Skills Board. This is important for the economic growth for the county, as a numerous amount of businesses reported a shortage in skills.
SG commented that it was important that the LEP should improve the importance of development of businesses with encumbering education. Although examples of good work were being undertaken, this is on an individual basis.
The challenge for FE /HE was central government funding models, which does not encourage the development of a bespoke course.
The Redditch skills survey was noted and results will be reported to the board.
11. / Start up and capacity fund
The board noted the expenditure on the start up and capacity fund. We are now delivering against the activity and will be on target for the next quarterly claim. The Board asked GW to prepare an evaluation of spend.
The government had announced since the Board papers were published, that a new capacity fund had been launched. For round 2 there will be no bidding process.
As a further response to the request for simplification the fund is now aimed at the broad objective of supporting LEPs to address the issues that will best help them deliver local growth.
The types of activities that you may wish to support are:
· Analysis of existing economic data or intelligence to help LEPs prioritise the activities to engage in.
· Analysis of new or emerging industries or clusters.
· Analysis of potential barriers and collection of new economic data.
· Training for board members.
· Consulting with stakeholders.
· Identifying economic benefits of working between LEPs on infrastructure issues or sectored priorities.
It was agreed that the Board would delegate the writing of the Capacity Fund bid to the officers with reference to the Funding Sub Group / Action GW to produce a cash flow forecast of the funds.
GW to write the capacity bid by the deadline.
12. / External funding
Report noted
JC asked for more information on the NEET bid as a possible bid had been outlined in the north of the county. / GW to gain more info on the NEETs bid to JC.
13. / Date and times of next meetings
1st March 2012 3.30pm to 5.30pm
26th April 2012 3.30pm to 5.30pm
14th June 2012 3.30pm to 5.30pm
at LEP Offices, Suites 1 &2, Brindley Court, Gresley Road, Warndon, Worcester, WR4 9FD
14. / Any other business
GW reported that the LEP offices would be ready week beginning 23rd January 2012. GW was also interviewing for two fixed termed posts an executive assistant and an operations manager, the expected start date would be in a couple of weeks.
The Chair thanked the Board and closed the meeting at 5:45pm
Item 3. – Action List from the Minutes