Economic Development Group

Minutes, conclusions and actions

1.  Present

2.  Introduction
Alan Russell (Fife Council, Scotland) welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the agenda.

3.  Rosyth Europarc Business Innovation Centre, Fife, Scotland
Alan Russell gave a presentation on the history, development and management of the Rosyth Europarc Business Innovation Centre (REBIC).  He also outlined the public and private partnership structures involved in REBIC and plans for the future of the centre.  For more information visit the website www.rebic.co.uk.

4.  Risk Management and Business Centres
Alan Russell gave a presentation on the importance of developing Risk Management procedures for Business Centres.  He gave a case study on his recent experience when fire damaged the Kirkcaldy Business Centre in central Fife.

In addition to smoke, water and fire damage at the Business Centre, it was discovered that the there was an asbestos contamination problem.  Twenty four businesses were affected by this incident.  It was subsequently discovered that some businesses did not have insurance cover, and even some that did had insufficient insurance cover.

As a result of this incident a number of actions were required - and lessons were learned for the future eg:

• The need for access to emergency loan funds.
• The need for assistance with temporary business accommodation.
• The provision of grant support towards recovery costs for the tenant businesses.
• The requirement of comprehensive insurance cover for all business centre tenants.
• A Risk Assessment and Recovery Plan are required for all building emergencies eg fire, flood, asbestos contamination.
• In emergency situations, effective communication management is vital between staff, tenants and the media.
• The role of the landlord must be clear in emergency situations, and any business and moral responsibilities clearly defined.
  

5.  Collecting information on Business Centres in the North Sea area
The Group discussed the draft questionnaire compiled to collect information on existing Business Centres in the North Sea area.  (see attached).

Thrond Kjellevold (BTV Co-operation, Norway) suggested that this information should be put directly into the SME365.com website.  A matrix showing the location and type of business centre could then be developed for easy reference.

The Group discussed the similar type of networking facility being developed by the "Scandinavian Triangle" project involving Denmark, Norway and Sweden.  (A maritime event for this project is being held in March 2004). 

Arne Monrad Johnsen (Sogn og Fjordane Fylkekommune, Norway) asked if a map facility could be included in the SME365.com website.  Thrond thought this was not likely at present, but there may be potential from the "Geoshare" project currently being developed.

The group agreed that the main aim is to provide a facility for Business Centre Managers to network within the North Sea area.  The group agreed that it would be important to identify and contact any existing national organisations or associations for Business Centre Managers.  These organisations could help establish the level of interest in learning from other areas.  This approach should also ensure that privately owned and operated business centres could be involved in the networking project.

It was agreed that an initial two day event should be developed in 2004 to give Business Centre Managers a chance to meet, study different types of management structure and visit innovative business centre projects.  Examples were given of the Finnish model where business centres are developed as "Centres of Expertise" linking knowledge centres with local industry.  Another example given of business centre networks was the Norwegian "SIVA" project (www.siva.no ).

The Group agreed that this event would require some funding (to help Business Centre Managers attend an international event) and also should have political support from member councils and Ministers of Trade around the North Sea.

Future aims of the NSC EDG Business Centres Networking group, may then be to provide practical support for visiting business tenants from around the North Sea, and to help training and education for existing Business Centre Managers.

Action:

• Thrond Kjellevold to arrange for the Co-ordinator to obtain a PIN code to input information into SME365.com
  
• EDG Co-ordinator to obtain more information from Sogn og Fjordane Council about the "Geoshare" project.
  
• EDG Co-ordinator to highlight the proposed Business Centre Manager Networking event to the NSC Executive Committee and investigate the possibility of funding towards this initial event.
  
• All group members to find out if there are professional associations or organisations representing Business Centre Managers in their area.
  

6.  Date of next meeting
The next meeting of the Business Centres Networking Group will be in Viborg, Denmark on Wednesday 21 January 2004.

NORTH  SEA  COMMISSION
ECONOMIC  DEVELOPMENT  GROUP 

BUSINESS  CENTRES  NETWORKING  GROUP  QUESTIONNAIRE

The North Sea Commission Economic Development Group (NSC EDG) is examining the potential of sharing best practice in the management and operation of Business Centres within the North Sea area.

A specialist Group has been established to take this project forward.  The overall aim of this Group is to benefit professional Business Centre Managers and the companies who operate from Business Centres.  Through this project, Business Centre Managers will gain information about how other Centres operate within the North Sea area, and businesses will have the opportunity of developing new trade links locally and internationally.

The Group also aims to:

• encourage best practice management of Business Centres,
• compare different methods of business incubation support and
• improve networking between SMEs locally, nationally and internationally. 

For the purposes of this project, the definition of a Business Centre is simply "a building with multiple occupancy."

In order to progress this project the Group would like to find out more about existing Business Centres and management structures within the North Sea area.  A short questionnaire, therefore, has been produced.

We would be very grateful if you could complete and return the attached questionnaire, giving us information about the key Business Centres in your area.  If the Business Centre managers are interested in knowing more about this project please just let us know.

Please complete and return your questionnaires to the NSC EDG Co-ordinator by fax 00 44 (0) 1334 656 714 or e mail gb@sol.co.uk  by ? October 2003. 

Thank you for your help with this project.

NORTH  SEA  COMMISSION
ECONOMIC  DEVELOPMENT  GROUP

BUSINESS  CENTRES  NETWORKING  GROUP  QUESTIONNAIRE

(please complete one questionnaire for each Business Centre in your area)

Please complete and return your questionnaires to the NSC EDG Co-ordinator by fax 00 44 (0) 1334 656 714 or e mail gb@sol.co.uk  by ? October 2003.