May
Minutes of Scottish Enterprise Board : 7 May 2004
Present:
Sir John Ward CBE, Chairman
Jack Perry, Chief Executive
Frank Blin CBE
Campbell Christie CBE
Barbara Duffner OBE
Eric Hagman CBE
Janet Lowe CBE
Ian Ritchie CBE
Apologies:
Charlie Morrison
LEC chairs:
Fred Bowden, SE Fife
Neil MacDonald, SE Lanarkshire
Apologies:Roger McClure, Scottish Funding Councils
In attendance:
Iain Carmichael, Senior Director Finance
Bill Morton, Senior Director Operations
Charlie Woods, Senior Director Knowledge Management
Brian Jamieson, SE Secretary
Minutes of board meeting held on 2 April 2004 – SE(M)166
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Chairman’s report
It was anticipated that the new Board appointments would be announced later in May.
A request from Members to participate in a NDPB Shadow Initiative promoted by the Scottish Executive would be circulated.
The “Business in Parliament” session had been well attended by the business sector and by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Sixteen other MSPs had attended.
The Parliament’s Audit Committee had issued their report on the Auditor General’s findings. Copies were tabled.
A regular schedule of meetings with the Deputy First Minister and with his civil servants was being put in place. Meetings were also taking place with party leaders.
Chief Executive’s report
A tabled paper SE(04)88 recorded the decision taken by the Urgent Approvals Committee between Board Meetings in relation to the project at Faulds Park, Gourock. Charlie Morrison’s conflict of interest had been noted.
Scotland the Brand has announced its intention to cease trading. SE is working to ensure an orderly transition of the Trademark back to SE.
The ITI Scotland Operating Plan has been reviewed and approval is being given in terms of their contract.
All LEC visits had now been completed. Meetings continue with key stakeholders and customers.
Jack Perry presented his Change Agenda, outlining the review process, the proposed future state and the first steps towards that, prioritised for action. The Agenda would now be taken forward by identifying clear ownership for each action. Where necessary, small project teams will work to clear deadlines.
The Board endorsed the approach to bring sharper focus to the organisation.
Project approvals
Glasgow Science Centre Charitable Trust – SE(04)68
Bill Morton declared a potential conflict of interest and left the Meeting for this item.
Graham McKee, SDO and Stuart Patrick and Colum Halforty of SE Glasgow joined the Meeting for this item. Ron Culley was ill and sent his apologies.
The Board did approve funding the Trust to the extent required to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the 12 months period from the signing of their 2003/04 Accounts.
An information paper recording the outcome of the revised Business Plan would come to the Board.
Interactive university – SE(04)69
Ian Ritchie declared a conflict of interest and left the Meeting for this item. Janet Lowe declared an interest and did not participate in the discussion.
Charlie Stewart, e-business joined the Meeting for this item.
The Board approved this paper on the basis that (a) this is a capped final contribution, (b) the management figures will be kept closely under review and (c) bonuses should not be paid until success can be demonstrated and funded from profits earned.
Prince’s Scottish youth business trust – SE(04)70
Terry Currie, Small Business Services, joined the Meeting for this and the following item.
The Board approved the paper. It was suggested that ‘fast tracking’ promising businesses into other initiatives be explored further.
High growth start up unit – SE(04)71
Andy McNab, Small Business Services, joined the Meeting for this item.
The Board approved the paper. The scope for expanding the Unit’s operations was to be examined.
Refreshing ‘Smart Successful Scotland’
Ed Payne and Carl Bow, Knowledge Management, joined the Meeting for this item.
Charlie Woods tabled his presentation containing:
- The Process and Timetable for the review culminating in a launch date in the Autumn.
- The areas within the original Strategy where revisions may be needed.
- Changes in the economy.
- Changes in the policy environment.
- The impact on project and programme priorities within the three strategic objectives.
European funding post 2006 – SE(04)72
Martin Togneri and Donald MacInnes, International Operations, joined the Meeting for this item.
The Board had requested this briefing on the outlook for Scotland and what SE’s role in influencing the outcome might be.
It was confirmed that the Scottish Executive and SE remained ambitious to secure the maximum share of funding for Scotland. Meanwhile, SE would continue to seek to maximise its drawdown of eligible funds.
Information papers
The Board noted the following Information Papers:
Performance Management Update (Year End) - SE(04)73
Social Justice Action Plan Progress Update - SE(04)74
National Construction Skills Action Plan – SE(04)75
HR Operating Plan 2004-05 – SE(04)76
Landscape Map for ITI s – SE(04)77
Monthly Update – International Operations – SE(04)78
Monthly Update – Customer Relations – SE(04)79
Monthly Update – Network Operations – SE(04)80
Monthly Update – Competitive Business and Clusters- SE(04)81
Monthly Update – Skills and Learning – SE(04)82
Finance Report – SE(04)83
Update to April Economic Trends Paper – The 2004 Globalisation Index – SE(04)85
Briefing on Global, UK and Scottish Economic Trends – SE(04)85
Standards Commission for Scotland – Annual Report – SE(04)86
Calendar of Forward Events – SE(04)87
Brian Jamieson
SE Secretary
May 2004