Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes from the meeting held on 23^rd June 2008, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

It was reported that no public questions had been received.

The minutes of the Executive Board relating to the work of the Employment, Learning and Skills Policy Performance Board were submitted for information.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Board received two presentations from Mr Henry Gun-why (STFC Daresbury Laboratory)  and Mr John Leak (Daresbury Innovation Centre).

 

The first presentation by Mr Gun-why gave the Board an update on STFC progress and future vision for Daresbury Science and Innovation Centre which:

 

·        Outlined the Council science and technology facilities;

 

·        Set out the STFC mission summary;

 

·        Set out and explained the issues and challenges in respect of the merger;

 

·        Gave a history of the Daresbury Laboratory and the open days and celebrations that had taken place;

 

·        Showed photographs of the Laboratory in 1960 – 1970’s and aerial views of 2002 and 2007;

 

·        Detailed the impact of the SRS closure;

 

·        Outlined the current research facilities;

 

·        Showed photographs of the proposed detector Technology Centre, Technology Gateway Centres, the proposed Hartree Centre and the New Daresbury Reception Building – October 2004; and

 

·        Outlined the science and innovation campus model.

 

The second presentation by Mr Leake gave the Board an update on progress and the future vision for Daresbury SIC which:-

 

·        Gave an update on the companies within the Daresbury Innovation Centre in respect of the planned closure of the Synchrotron, the formation of the new body STFC, the development of the campus model and the ambitious vision for the future;

 

·        Gave an introduction and overview of the campus;

 

·        Outlined that the centre opened in April 2005 and comprised of 77 high tech companies and focussed on healthcare, digital/ICT, instrumentation/electronics and energy and environmental technologies; an

 

·        Explained what campus companies looked like and the vision for the future which included developing a major international ‘Technology Village’ which would be delivered through JV and Strategic Partnership and would engage with all stakeholders especially Halton Borough Council.

 

·        Set out the next stage of the development in respect of private investment of £25m from St Modwen Properties and the establishment of Vanguard House by 2009; ;

 

Arising from the discussion, reference was made to a number of issues including:-

 

·        It was noted that the proposals could create significant job opportunities in the Borough, provide an opportunity to develop the East Runcorn area and infrastructure used by local people and public transport facilities;

 

·        The percentages in respect of private and central funding to the Centre was noted;

 

·        The importance of all stakeholders all having the same aims and objectives in respect of the development of the centre was noted;

 

·        The issues in respect of Rutherford and Daresbury competing for investment was noted;

 

·        It was noted that the redundancies, although regretful, had been handled sensitively and in a civilised manner;

 

·        In respect of the Student Mentoring Programme launch with local A Level students from local colleges, it was agreed that it would be beneficial to involve young people at primary school age in the science programme instead of at the A Level stage. It was suggested that a meeting could be arranged with relevant parties to look at ways of extending the programme to children of primary school age. It was also agreed that it would be beneficial for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The Board considered a report of the Chief Executive on progress against service plan objectives and performance targets, performance trends/comparisons and factors affecting the services for Economic Regeneration, and Culture and Leisure for the first quarter.

 

Arising from the discussion, reference was made to a number of issues including:-

 

Culture and Leisure

 

·        The Board was advised that £253,000 had been distributed from Sports England to employ sports development offices and targets associated with them in order to give people the opportunity to access clubs.

 

·        The achievements of the UK cycling and rowing activities this year and the resources that had been provided for these events was noted.

 

Economic Regeneration

 

·        In respect of the difficulties filling the vacancy of Skills Strategy Officer which had recently been advertised – concern was raised on the impact this would have on the services provided in the Borough. 

 

·        The Board was advised that there had been some difficulties in relation to the recent Job Evaluation process, in that some jobs were now graded below market value.  This had resulted in people in key positions within the organisation leaving.  The appeals process was also taking a considerable time.  The post had been advertised but as a result of the grade, there had been no suitable candidates. 

 

In this respect, the Board agreed that the Barriers to Work Topic Group undertake an analysis of the impact of the vacancies within Directorate which would include how many people there were, the current grades, how many had been downgraded and the impact on the delivery of services;

 

·        The Job Evaluation process and the pending appeals process was noted.  It was noted that the Job Evaluation scheme was established nationally to address issues relating to pay equality.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)               the report be noted;

 

(2)               the Board requests that an analysis of the impact of vacancies on the ability of this Directorate to deliver services.  The analysis should be made in the form of a report, presented to the Barriers to Work Topic Group and this group should report back to the Board with its findings and recommendations.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which provided a briefing on the recent employment focussed research undertaken in the neighbourhood management areas.

 

Arising from the discussion, reference was made to the following issues:-

 

·        It was noted that the Topic Group had undertaken an excellent piece of work;

 

·        Members were advised that the full report was available on request;

 

·        It was noted that the list of types of work people would like did not include any job groups that were available at the Daresbury Science Innovation Centre;

 

·        It was noted that people did not feel that self employment was an option due to the record keeping and accounting involved.  It was suggested that the Business Start Up Team could look at providing a hands on service for book keeping.

 

RESOLVED: That the research findings be referred to the Barriers to Work Topic Group for detailed consideration.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which provided a Members with information on the progress of enterprise action plan.

 

The Board was advised that since the report had been written the NDWA, next year would be commissioning £180,000 to Business Start Ups as a ‘one off’.  The details relating to this were as yet to be determined. 

 

The Board was further advised that a report would be presented to a future meeting on the additional £630,000 of Working Neighbourhoods Funding which had been secured to expand the enterprise programme,

 

In addition, the Board was advised that it was time to update the Action Plans set out on Page 60 of the report.

 

Arising from the discussion, reference was made to the following issues:-

 

·        In relation to Halton’s Enterprise Business Grant of £250 in comparison to Knowsley’s £500, it was suggested that this be increased and that they be given guidance on completing a Business Plan which would encourage young people to consider starting their own business;

 

The Board was advised that the funding was as a result of funding constraints and pressures.  However, that applicants would be required to complete the Business Plan in order to obtain the grant.  External Business Advisors were also available to give support with Business Plans.  It was agreed that the Topic Group look at the possibility of providing a 12/18 month sustainability grant for new business start ups; and

 

·        Clarity was sought on the number of professional trades people had applied for a Business Start Up Grant. 

 

The Board was advised that this information would be emailed to all Members of the Board.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)               That progress on the action plan be noted;

 

(2)               that the Topic Group review the Action Plans;

 

(3)               the Topic Group look at the possibility of providing a 12/18 month sustainability grant for new business start ups; and

 

(4)               information on how many professional people had applied for a Business Start Up Grant be emailed to all Members of the Board.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Corporate and Policy which advised Members on progress towards targets set in the Community Strategy and 2007 Local Area Agreement.

 

The Board was advised that other Policy and Performance Boards had agreed to place the minutes of the relevant Specialist Strategic Partnership on the agenda of future meetings.  Members were also asked to consider how often they would like to receive a progress report.  It was agreed that a report be presented to the next meeting outlining what timescales in respect of reporting on the performance indicators.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)               the progress report be noted;

 

(2)               the Board receive the minutes of the Safer Halton Partnership at future meetings; and

 

(3)               a report outlining the timescales in respect of reporting on the performance indicators be presented to the next meeting.