Minutes of the Greater Peterborough Economic Development Group

Held on 4 November 2003

 

 

            Attending:     Allan Arnott                             Perkins Engines, Interim Chair

                        Mike Holland                            Smye Holland Associates

                                    Phil Sheppard                          UK Centre for Economic and Environmental

                                                                                    Development

                                    Councillor Burton                     Peterborough City Council

                        Peter Smith                              APV Baker

                        David Nicholls              Cambridgeshire Business Services -

                                                                         representative

                        Nick Upton                               Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce

                        Karen Bartlett                          East of England Development Agency

                        K. Horsley                               Greenwoods

                        Wally French                           Frenbury Properties Ltd

                        David Shaw

                        Dickens, Watts and Dade

                        Jonathan Selwyn                    UK Ceed

                                    Sue Churchill,                          Learning Skills Council

                        Richard Astle                          Interim GPP Director

                        Graeme Law                           PCC, Head of Planning Services

                        Neil Darwin                              Peterborough City Council, (Economic & Community

                                                                                                             Regen.)

                        Ed Zerafa                                Peterborough City Council, (Economic and

                                                                                                             Community Regeneration)

                        Anne Hughes                          Peterborough City Council (Chief Executives

                                                                                                             Department)

 

1.             Apologies for Absence

 

Apologies were received from Mr D McKay, Peterborough Environment City Trust, Gloria Milne, Greater Peterborough Investment Agency, Carolyn Hume, Jobcentre Plus and Liz Wade, Head of Economic and Community Regeneration.

 

2.             Encluster

 

Jonathan Selwyn from UK Ceed gave a short presentation on Encluster which was launched in February 2002 and covers all of Greater Peterborough.  Encluster seeks to be a catalyst for promoting environmental enterprise and innovation, inward investment, improving sector skills and demonstrating new technologies.

 

We were advised that this should be included in the Masterplan and should be addressed in the Community Strategy, it was agreed that this was a massive opportunity and assistance should be given for it to be included in the future planning of projects.

 

3.             Regional Planning Guidance

 

Graeme Law gave a short presentation on the guidance received on the 29 Government Strategies for the East of England in relation to land use which cuts across the economy.  We were reminded that Susan Heinrich had done a presentation to the group and some of our private sector colleagues had expressed their concern about some of the suggestions/plans.

 

The Head of Planning Services advised us that the politicians were discussing the subject in 2 weeks time and Councillor Peach was on the group for Peterborough.  Our private sector colleagues were concerned that our future was sorted out and included within the plans before they are finalised and were of the opinion that who shouted loudest got the most.  Up to now Peterborough had not appeared in John Prescott's plans but it was not too late to do so.

 

David Shaw said he and his colleagues were prepared to help to get Peterborough in the plans and would go to speak to people to tell them all about the good prospects that Peterborough has to offer.  Officers were preparing reports on the Urban Regeneration Company who would be delivering the Masterplan and keeping members advised of progress.  David Shaw would liaise with Graeme Law, Richard Astle and Neil Darwin on how the private sector could help with this project and meet with the landowners to present our case for growth within the next few days.  Karen Bartlett said that Peterborough was not recognised as a growth area but EEDA did understand the aspirations for Peterborough's growth.

 

4.             Drafting of the Economic Development Strategy

 

Neil Darwin presented the report which was a starting point for discussion, Mike Holland had put this together and a number of objectives and targets had been identified.  Neil would deal with any questions the group may have, would be chasing people for their responses and would be reporting to the next meeting.

 

Allan felt that there were too many objectives and these should be cut down but it was thought that a "Nice to have category" could be included if we had the money.  Richard expressed concern about this report as the economic strategy should run from the main community strategy.  Karen said the business plan would have to be submitted to EEDA by the first week in February, the strategy covers six years and needs to be right.  Some studies in crime would be carried out in relation to the additional 2,500 houses in the masterplan, increase in retail business and increase in population.  EEDA would look at an agreed direction and integration of working together, all comments to be sent to Neil for collation into the plan.

 

5.             Outline of Criteria and Process for 2004/05 EEDA Business Plan

 

We were advised that this would be the 3rd year for EEDA offering us funding and the bidding starts this time of year with the business plan required by the first week in February 2004.  Officers are recommending a slight change in the process from previous years as follows:-

 

a)   Start expression of interest stage - come back to meeting on the 16 December 2003.

                           b)    Full application on the form by middle of January 2004.

c)    Panel of interested parties.

d)    Recommendation to GPP Board

e)    Back to this group on 27 January 2004

f)    Forward plan to EEDA for 1st week in February 2004.

 

We were advised that this would be the best robust transparent system.  Neil and Karen would be working closely together on the process and at the most there should be five strategic goals.

 

6.             Updates from 2/3 projects - 3rd Age Management Initiative

 

The project started by placing experienced managers in small businesses to increase their profits.  The manager works with the decision makers, it is hoped that 15 host companies would become involved and timing was crucial as employers were nervous about redundancies.  At the moment 6 companies have signed up and meetings on the project were taking place in the next few weeks and it was envisaged that the 15 companies would be achieved and all the money committed.

 

7.             High Growth Start-Ups

 

The project involves 10 companies starting up to achieve high growth over a 2 year period.  40% of female and 60% of male were directors of companies.  The training and management workshops were commencing on the 27 November and it was intended to celebrate good achievements.  Phil Sheppard said he knows of some companies who might be interested in the scheme.

 

8.             Visit of EEDA

 

The arrangements for the visit of EEDA were being made for the 10 December 2003.

 

The meeting having commenced at 4.30pm concluded at 6.55pm.