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SUMMARY
MINUTES OF THE SEVENTH MEETING
MEETING HELD
ON TUESDAY 6 JULY 1999
AT SEEDA HEADQUARTERS
Members Present
Allan Willett CMG (Chairman), Professor Clive Booth, Cllr. Ken
Bodfish OBE, Cllr. Kit Oliver, Cllr. Kevin Wilson, Cllr. David
Rogers, Bryan Davies, Sarah Ward OBE, Barry Camfield, Jim Baker,
Caroline Williams, Russ Nathan CBE, Janis Kong
Apologies for absence
None
Others in Attendance (for all
or part of meeting)
Anthony Dunnett (Chief Executive), Jeff Alexander (Agency Secretary),
Phil Bailey (SEEDA), Barrie Giles (Director Enterprise, SEEDA),
Karen Yeomans (Director Business Development, SEEDA), Anna Whyatt
(ERA), Rob Bennett (BPP), Mike Geddes (Vice-Chair, SEERA), Paul
Bevan (Regional Director Designate, SEERA), David Saunders (Regional
Director, GO-SE),
Summary of Meeting
The Board discussed a range of operational, constitutional and
programme matters
The Board:-
- Agreed the arrangements for
the publication and launch of the Regional Economic Strategy.
- Reviewed the progress made
by the joint SEEDA/SEERA, Europe Committee and asked for proposals
to establish a South East House in Brussels be taken forward.
- Reviewed a number of Land and
Property and Rural Regeneration projects.
- Agreed how to take forward
the consultation on the boundaries of the local Learning and
Skills Councils and local outlets of the Small Business Service.
- Reviewed actual and forecast
operational and programme spend for this financial year.
- Received feedback on the Urban
Task Force report and discussed how SEEDA might be involved
in follow up action.
Regional Economic
Strategy
The Board agreed the arrangements for the media launch of the
consultation draft Regional Economic Strategy (RES) on the morning
of 22 July and noted that on the same day Anthony Dunnett would
be presenting the details of the document to the Annual General
Meeting of the South East England Regional Assembly, followed
by a keynote address from the Chairman. Members took the opportunity
to make final drafting amendments to the draft framework strategy.
SEEDA, SEERA
and GO-SE Liaison
The Board was joined for its regular liaison session with the
South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) by Mike Geddes (Vice-Chair)
and Paul Bevan (Director Designate). The Board congratulated Paul
Bevan on his appointment as SEERA Director and agreed that both
SEEDA and SEERA needed to liaise closely not least during the
consultation period on the RES. SEERA informed the Board of its
proposals to set up a series of workshops to look at the strategic
themes in the strategy. Chairs of the SEEDA Board Committees would
be invited to attend the appropriate sessions.
David Saunders
(Regional Director, GO-SE) discussed the implications of the recent
government announcement on the Post 16 Skills and Learning Review
and the Small Business Service. The Board noted that government
had asked RDAs to advise on the boundaries of the new Local Learning
and Skills Councils and the local outlets of the Small Business
Service. The Board agreed to set up a joint GO-SE and SEEDA working
group to take forward consideration of the boundaries consultation.
Urban Task
Force
The Board noted its interest in the conclusions of the Lord Rogers
Urban Task Force of which the Chief Executive was a member. The
Board recognised that housing policy was not within the remit
of SEEDA but concluded that SEEDA should act in a catalytic role
to assist in bringing an urban renaissance in the region.
SEEDA/SERIL
Merger
The Board noted progress on the administrative arrangements preparing
the way for the conclusion of the formal SEEDA/SERIL merger.
Date of Next
Meeting
Wednesday 8 September 1999.
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