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SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE FIFTH MEETING
MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 20 MAY 1999
AT SEEDA HEADQUARTERS (AUTODESK HOUSE)
Members Present:
Allan Willett CMG (Chairman), Professor Clive Booth, Cllr. Ken
Bodfish, Cllr. Kit Oliver, Cllr. Kevin Wilson, Cllr. David Rogers,
Bryan Davies, Sarah Ward OBE, Barry Camfield, Jim Baker, Caroline
Williams
Apologies for absence:
Russ Nathan CBE and Janis Kong (Board Members)
Others in Attendance: (for all or part of meeting)
Anthony Dunnett (Chief Executive), Jeff Alexander (Agency Secretary),
Phil Bailey (SEEDA), Andrew Fraser (Chief Executive, IBB), Justin
Elcombe (SEEDA), Anna Whyatt (ERA), Keith House (Chair, SEERA),
Graham Tubb (Acting Regional Manager, SEERA), David Saunders (Regional
Director, GO-SE),
Summary of Meeting:
The Board discussed a range of operational, constitutional and
programme matters
The Board:-
- Agreed to establish a small group to take forward the creation
of a Chairman's Advisory Panel
- Agreed that SEEDA and the Invest in Britain Bureau (IBB) should
consider establishing a co-ordinated strategy to develop a model
for aftercare of existing inward investors.
- Agreed that SEEDA's response should be submitted to the consultation
document issued by the Royal Commission on the Reform of the
House of Lords
- Reviewed and approved a number of Land and Property and Rural
Regeneration projects. The details of what are presently commercially
confidential investments - projects are announced once formalities
have been completed.
- Confirmed its commitment to the Chatham Maritime project
- Noted actual and forecast operational and programme spend
for this financial year
Regional Economic Strategy
The Board agreed a timetable for taking the draft strategy forward
to publication for consultation in July. The Board noted that
sub-regional consultation events organised through the Economic
Partnerships had been informative and had been generally well
received.
Inward Investment
The Board was joined by Andrew Fraser, Chief Executive of IBB.
Andrew Fraser noted the major importance of the South East to
the national Inward Investment effort as a leading region in attracting
Inward Investment. The South East had considerable strengths (communications,
its Universities, links with London and quality of life) whilst
recognising that there were areas of disadvantage. SEEDA and Andrew
Fraser agreed that aftercare was an area that needed further work.
SEEDA, SEERA and GO-SE Liaison
The Board was joined for its regular liaison session with the
South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) by Keith House (Chair)
and Graham Tubb. The opportunity was taken to ensure that SEERA
were fully aware of the progress made on the regional economic
strategy and to discuss how SEEDA would be involved before the
publication of the strategy for consultation in July.
David Saunders (Regional Director, GO-SE) updated the Board
on the Post 16 skills and Learning Review. He explained that the
Government's conclusions would not be known until June.
Reform of the House of Lords
The Board agreed that SEEDA should respond to the invitation from
the Royal Commission to submit written evidence. Discussions were
held on issues such as direct elections to the Second Chamber,
the basic model of the Second Chamber, its role and responsibilities,
composition and method of composition. The Board agreed to support
the establishment of an Appointments Commission and that regional
bodies should have nomination rights.
Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 17 June 1999.
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