WORCESTERSHIRE LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP
MINUTES OF BUSINESS BOARD MEETING
Wednesday 4th September 2013
5.30pm – 7.30pm
Venue: One Creative Environments, Worcester
PRESENT:
Dean Attwell(Chair) Oakland International
Carl Arntzen Worcester Bosch
Tony King Sanctuary Housing
Ray Brooks Community Housing
Francis Christie IoD/Francis Christie Ltd
Steve Borwell-Fox borwell Limited
Ken Wigfield Federation of Small Businesses
Mark Martin One Creative Environments
Marcus Burton Yamazaki Mazak Ltd
Roy Irish FP Support Ltd
Margaret Gray Mid West CiC
In Attendance:
Claire Bridges Worcestershire LEP
Guests
Graham Russell Amion
Ahmed Goga Worcestershire County Council
APOLOGIES:
Ed Webb, Stephen Taylor, Paul Alekna, Alan White, Gary Woodman, Mike Ashton, Rebecca Widdowson, Jacqui Bayliss, Robbie Hazelhurst, Steve Speller.
1. Welcome and Introduction
Dean Attwell (Chair) welcomed the Board and apologies were given.
Dean referred to the minutes of the Business Board meeting on 5th June 2013 which had previously been circulated.
He also referred to the Extra Special Business Board meeting on 26th June 2013 which the newly appointed WLEP consultants, AMION, attended and in which there was a special debate on emerging Government advice on LEP Growth Plans and EU Investment Strategies.
Graham Russell, AMION, presented early evidence and analysis to the Business Board which was debated to help frame further AMION work.
Dean Attwell expressed thanks to Mark Martin of One Creative hosting the Business Board meeting.
2. WLEP Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) and EU Investment Strategy (EUIS)
Graham Russell, AMION, presented an up date of work progress so far (corresponding slides to be circulated with minutes) and the emerging framework for the WLEP submission to Government in early October. Dean Attwell relayed the LEP Board's considerations and decision to pursue the most ambitions option for smart specialisation and growth. The Business Board debated the presentation and the following issues were highlighted:
· the SME Competitiveness objective as proposed should explicitly state "supporting retention/organic growth of existing businesses to enable them to maintain their competitiveness"
· the serious concerns of business members of the WLEP on the Government's changing expectations for LEPs, the inherent decision-making responsibilities and capability implications s a consequence and the clear potential risks and liabilities to business representatives (individually; respective individual businesses; collectively)
· the need to consider carefully the future governance, probity and accountability options (including re-visiting Company Limited by Guarantee status) and to look at emerging solutions across the LEP Network
· queried Opt-In with Growth Accelerator (given range of activities and offers available across Worcestershire) but with all National Programme Opt-Ins, recommended we consider a "Plan B" for opting out and the implications of both scenarios.
The Business Board requested that all above points be reported back to the LEP Board. The Business Board was advised that the first Draft SEP and EUIS documents will be available on 16 September be circulated to all Business Board members for comment.
3. Developing a Worcestershire Enterprise Strategy
Ahmed Goga, WCC gave a presentation and the corresponding slides will be circulated with the minutes.
Francis Christie queried the presentation and the potential disconnect with the previous AMION presentation and work underway. Ahmed Goga assured the Business Board that his team's work will work into the AMION work and emerging WLEP SEP and EUIS. Business Board members identified activities and support available through other organisations such as FSB, HWCC, Mid West CiC, Access to Finance Sub Group and the need for a co-ordination of all enterprise offers available, not least to ensure there is no duplication. Margaret Gray explained the history and value of the former enterprise support and network work led by the WCC and which has eroded over the last 8 years. Ken Wigfield and Margaret Gray described the type of enterprise support available through their respective organisations which is less about finance and more about mentoring and one to one support in key business areas.
Business Board is keen to progress enterprise support and initiatives which forms a key part of the emerging SEP and EUIS ambitions. The Business Board decided that there should be an Extra Business Board meeting arranged in the near future to brainstorm all knowledge, ideas and activities and shape the best way forwards.
4. Business View Point Survey
Ahmed Goga presented the proposals to repeat a joint WCC/WLEP Business Viewpoint Survey 2013 which was agreed by the Business Board. Draft questions are to be circulated to Business Board members for comment and suggestions before the survey is carried out.
5. Employer and Skills
Dean Attwell circulated a list of business board members' register to identify additional leads through their supply chain who will engage on the schools-business initiative. Additional names are still being pursued by all and Marcus Burton reported that all senior schools are now signed up. Dean Attwell commended this initiative which is unique in the national landscape.
6. FSB Small Business Strategy
Ken Wigfield FSB gave a presentation and the corresponding slides will be circulated with the minutes.
Given that the current WLEP work is looking at medium to long term delivery and success, Ken Wigfield focused on the actions that can be taken by the WLEP and Business Board members in the short term and have positive impact i.e. small proportion of expenditure for goods and services on local suppliers and therefore a boost into the local economy. Ray Brooks suggested that district councils should be approached to develop the same commitment on their local spending. The WLEP was asked to establish the nature and outcomes of each local authority procurement process in terms of % work awarded to Worcestershire businesses compared with outside the county and what this amounts to in monetary terms.
Ken Wigfield reported on the FSB graduate start-up scheme, the work with schools and the emerging three month promotion on "Small Business Saturday" scheduled for 7 December 2013 to help town centres.
Business Board agreed that the FSB work dovetailed into the ESB work and that Ken Wigfield should take a representative place on the ESB.
Business Board supported the FSB activity and agreed that FSB, HWCC, Midwest CiC and others should co-ordinate and develop their programmes and initiatives through the Sub Groups to avoid duplication and consolidate the good activities already out in the field.
8. Any Other Business
Dean Attwell referred to a recent presentation at LEP Board by Marc Bayliss, Worcester Research who summarised the findings of the commissioned manufacturing study. It was agreed that the WLEP executive would circulate the presentation slides to Business Board members.
Ray Brookes referred to a social housing paper submitted to the WLEP and requested that it be circulated around the Business Board which was agreed.
Dean Attwell referred to the recent appointment of Kate Moss, University of Worcester as the new Chair of the National profile and Promotion Sub Group. It was agreed that Kate Moss be invited on to the Business Board from now onwards.
Dean Attwell reminded the Business Board of the forthcoming WLEP conference on 10 October 2013 and that it is likely to be attended by Mark Prisk MP and Housing Minister, DCLG