Minutes of the Greater
Peterborough Economic Development Group
Councillor Holdich Peterborough City Council
Carolyn Hume Jobcentre Plus
Phil Sheppard UK Ceed
Karen Bartlett East of England Development Agency
Nick Upton Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce
Peter Smith APV Baker
David Nicholls Business Link for Cambridgeshire
Will Spinner Fenland District Council
Gloria Milne GPIA
Nick Plumb Greenwoods & AGP
(Chairman Neil Darwin Peterborough
City Council, (Economic &
Community
for the meeting) Regen.)
Anne
Hughes Peterborough
City Council (Chief Executives
Department)
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Stephen Hampson, Allan Arnott, Richard Turner, Sue Churchill and Liz Wade.
2. Minutes of last meeting
We accepted as a correct record the minutes of our meeting held on 4 November 2003.
3. Matters Arising
i) Economic Development Strategy
We noted the report on the Economic Development Strategy had not been completed yet, GPP Board had an awayday last week to work on the Community Strategy, this work would provide structure to the Economic Development Strategy. The draft strategy would be discussed at the next meeting of the group.
ii) Visit from new EEDA Chairman and Chief Executive
Karen thanked everyone who had been involved in the visit by EEDA recently, positive feedback had been received from their representatives.
iii) Private Sector Membership
We were advised that the chairman was preparing a letter to try and encourage more representatives from the private sector. The matrix would be circulated to the group for information.
4.
EEDA Funds 2004/2005
Neil advised us that we would be going through all the applications, with the exception of the Fenland applications which would be further discussed with the relevant representatives. It was hoped that we could make a decision on the applications to go forward to Stage 2.
The final draft would have to be with Karen by 22 January who would then present the proposals to her senior managers for approval.
We considered the applications and agreed the following:
i) Supporting the LEP
Progress to Stage 2.
ii) Lin Nisa
Progress to Stage 2 and look at links with other projects/organisations subject to successful findings by EEDA in Cambridge.
iii) PECT
Project must have a proper exit strategy to progress to Stage 2 and the track record needs to be looked at.
iv) GPIA - Economic Data
Neil advised that Ed Zerafa's role would be involved in this type of data collating. Nick Plumb said a number of groups he knew would be able to help with this. Progress to Stage 2 but Karen thought this was part of GPIA core activity and extra money was given to the Cambs. Observatory.
v) GPIA - Exhibition Display Stand
Karen said this was part of GPIA core activity and we would need to look at other ways of funding as EEDA would not see this as output focus.
vi) GPIA - Industrial Estate Improvements
Environmental Services were working with Eastern Industries on signage for the different areas. An audit of street signs was also being carried out and it was suggested GPIA should contact Environmental Services about this matter.
vii) GPIA - Investor Developer/Aftercare
Progress to Stage 2 but further information would be required to identify that it was not part of core activity.
viii) Improveshare of conference and tourism markets
Progress to Stage 2.
ix) Hampton Rejuvenation Scheme
Could not recommend at this stage without further information, should look at other ways of funding.
x) Fens Waterways Initiative
Karen needs to see the Funding Profile from the Environment Agency before considering this project. Will be the biggest scheme in Europe if developed as planned. We asked Officers to seek further information and progress to Stage 2 if appropriate.
xi) Materials Exchange
We were advised that there were similar projects up and running. Karen and Neil to meet to discuss further and make the linkages and report back to our next meeting.
xii) Business Environment Management Scheme
We were advised that the scheme should be self-funding eventually, progress to Stage 2 and include an exit strategy.
xiii) Level 2 Team Leader Qualification
Learning Skills Council should be funding this type of thing, there were plenty of funds available from other sources. Nick Upton and David Nicholls would discuss further.
xiv) Construction Sector Support Scheme
The scheme would promote the local construction sector. It was not felt that this would qualify for funding but possibly GPIA could help. Nick, Gloria and Karen would meet to discuss further.
xv) Fens Initiative for Resource Productivity
Karen would need to see the output, production and exit strategy before making a decision on this application.
xvi) Encluster
Progress to Stage 2 and prepare exit strategy.
xvii) Interim Support pre. Innovation Centre
Need to draw all the activities together and need to have companies moving in from day one. Karen would speak to the people involved with the project but progress to Stage 2 in the meantime.
xviii) Development of Higher Education
Progress to Stage 2. Neil would speak to the Regional College to advise them that EEDA would prefer to make one contribution for all projects rather than split into individual ones.
xix) Business Improvement Districts
Progress to Stage 2.
xx) Research need for a Business Incubator
This has been covered throughout the development of the Peterborough Innovation Centre. It was felt that this project would duplicate
xxi) Rural Roving Advisor
Needs to be more co-ordination with Social Enterprise expression of interest and then progress to Stage 2 if appropriate.
xxii) CAMRIS
It was agreed that this proposal should be reviewed as part of the Rural Renaissance programme.
xxiii) High Growth Start Up Programme
Progress to Stage 2 where the proposal would need to demonstrate that it was not core Business Link activity.
xxiv) Open 4 Business
Progress to Stage 2.
xxv) Peer Support Network
Progress to Stage 2.
xxvi) Disability Awareness Training Events
We noted some of this would be core business for the Job Centre. Officers would discuss further with Deaf Blind and Job Centre.
xxvii) Cambridgeshire COVE
It was agreed that the proposal should be considered as core business for the Regional College. The group discussed the possibility that further could be sought from alternative sources such as the Learning Skills Council.
xxviii) Researching Key Worker Housing
It was agreed that this should be a council led policy with housing partners as this was fundamental to the achieving growth. It was agreed that Councillor Holdich would liaise with Officers to pursue other funding for this and other types of research.
The meeting having commenced at 4.30pm concluded at 7.00pm.
Chairman