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SUMMARY
MINUTES OF THE NINTH MEETING
MEETING HELD
ON THURSDAY 14 OCTOBER 1999 AT SEEDA (CHATHAM MARITIME)
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, Jim Baker, Caroline Williams,
Janis Kong, Russ Nathan CBE, Barry Camfield
Apologies for absence
None
Others in Attendance (for all
or part of meeting)
Anthony Dunnett (Chief Executive, SEEDA), Jeff Alexander (Agency
Secretary, SEEDA), Phil Bailey (SEEDA), Paul Hudson (Director
Regeneration and Infrastructure, SEEDA), Karen Yeomans (Director,
Business Development, SEEDA), Valerie Carter (Rural Development,
SEEDA), Kathy Slack (Skills and Learning, SEEDA), Helen Mead (Head
of Personnel, SEEDA), David Saunders (Regional Director, GO-SE),
Cllr. Keith House (Chair, Regional Assembly), Paul Bevan (Regional
Director, Regional Assembly)
Summary of Meeting
The Board:-
- Recorded their appreciation
and thanks for the efforts by the staff involved with the arrangements
for the "Opening Ceremony" of SEEDA's Chatham Maritime offices
by the Deputy Prime Minister on 14 October and agreed to consider
holding further Board meetings near to major SEEDA projects,
as appropriate.
- Agreed that the Chairman and
Chief Executive should consider a SEEDA input into the current
debate on regional planning guidance in the South East.
- Noted that SEEDA's draft Corporate
Plan had been sent to the Government Office for the South East.
- Noted that the establishment
of a "South East House" in Brussels was proceeding well.
- Noted their continuing support
for the establishment of a regional "equity gap" fund and agreed
to set up a sub-group to oversee this work.
- Reviewed a number of Land and
Property, Rural Regeneration and Chatham Maritime projects and
reviewed actual and forecast operational and programme spend
for 1999/2000.
Regional Economic
Strategy
The Board reviewed the latest draft of the RES which took on board
the results of the consultation exercise. They agreed that, subject
to minor revisions, the RES could be considered as now approved
by the SEEDA Board. The Board agreed to focus their attention
on the development of the Action Plans.
The Board expressed
its appreciation of all the hard work by partners and others in
the South East in helping SEEDA meet the government's deadlines.
The RES would be presented to the Deputy Prime Minister on 26
October.
SEEDA, SEERA
and GO-SE Liaison
The Board held a joint liaison session with the South East England
Regional Assembly (Cllr. Keith House and Paul Bevan) and GO-SE
(David Saunders). The main item of discussion was the report by
the Inspector on SERPLAN's draft Regional Planning Guidance. David
Saunders stressed that the report by the Inspector did not represent
Government policy but was the independent report of a panel. GO-SE
was grateful to have the report and Government would issue draft
RPG early in the new year. There would then follow a period of
extensive consultation over at least eight weeks. No formal response
was yet required from SEEDA.
South East
House - Brussels
The Board agreed that SEEDA could negotiate terms to take an interest
in the NCI building in Brussels which offers flexible, fully serviced
accommodation for a South East House. Nevertheless other options
remain open.
Single Regeneration
Budget (SRB) - Preparations for Round 6
The Board discussed the key stages in handling SRB 6 and the critical
elements that should be included in the Regional Guidance which
will accompany the DETR National Guidance. Partnerships will be
encouraged to make early contact with SEEDA.
It was agreed
to establish a small sub-group to take forward work on the Regional
Guidance and future arrangements for Round 6. However final decisions
will be made by the main Board.
SEEDA Corporate
Plan 2000/2003
The Board considered a working draft of the Corporate Plan and
decided to establish a sub-group to oversee and approve its further
development in readiness for submission by the end of the month.
Objective 2
The Board, although welcoming the addition of a small programme
for Hastings, expressed its disappointment with the proposals
by government on Objective 2 eligible areas, noting that the population
coverage had been reduced from 127,000 to just 88,000.
Objective 2
The Board, although welcoming the addition of a small programme
for Hastings, expressed its disappointment with the proposals
by government on Objective 2 eligible areas, noting that the population
coverage had been reduced from 127,000 to just 88,000.
Date of Next
Meeting
Wednesday 8 September 1999. Thursday 11 November 1999. The meeting
will be chaired by Ken Bodfish in the absence of Allan Willett
on business.
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