NORTH SEA COMMISSION
Economic
Development Group Meeting
Suffolk County Council, Council Chamber, County Hall
Ipswich, England
Friday 16 April 2004
MINUTES
AND ACTION POINTS
Present
Name Organisation,
Country
Cllr
Audrey Findlay (Chair) Aberdeenshire
Council, Scotland
Vivien Collie North
Sea Commission
Daniel Dobson-Mouawad Suffolk
County Council, England
Iain Dunnett Suffolk
County Council, England
Jerry Hindle Suffolk
County Council, England
Tomasz Jaroszek Noord-Holland,
Netherlands
Thrond Kjellevold BTV
Co-operation, Norway
James Knowles Aberdeenshire
Council, Scotland
Drs. Rinske Kruisinga (Vice Chair) Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Helena L Nilsson Region Vastra Gotaland, Sweden
Johan Pensgaard Vest-Agder Fylkeskommune, Norway
Karen Greve Somerset North
Sea Commission
Derek Walker Derek
Walker Consultancy Ltd, England
Toby Warren Ipswich
Borough Council, England
1. Welcome
Members
of the Economic Development Group (EDG) were welcomed by Chair Cllr Audrey
Findlay (Aberdeenshire Council). She
thanked Suffolk County Council for arranging the
previous day's study tour along the River Orwell and the networking
Dinner. Cllr Findlay also advised the group
of Daniel Dobson-Mouawad’s proposed departure from Suffolk County
Council, England. She thanked Daniel
for his involvement in the work of the NSC EDG and the Renewable Energy
subgroup. She also read a note from
Alan Russell (Fife Council, Scotland) advising the group of his retirement from
the local authority. She asked the
Group Co-ordinator to convey her thanks to Alan for his work with the group and
the Business Centre Networking Subgroup.
Cllr
Findlay also introduced Iain Dunnett, Toby Warren and Derek Warren to the rest
of the group.
2. Apologies
Apologies
were received from:
Name Organisation,
Country
Richard
Baty East
Lothian Council, Scotland
Eddie Craig Napier
University, Scotland
Christel Daesler-Lohmuller Stadt Emden, Germany
Merete Gammelmark Ringkjobing
County, Denmark
Johann Gelder Europaburo Wesermarsch, Germany
Enok
Hansen Aust-Agder
County Council, Norway
Lars
Hustvueit Sogn
og Fjordane Council, Norway
Henrik
Jensen Viborg
Amt (NSC Secretariat)
Jesper Jensen Viborg
County Council, Denmark
Arne Monrad Johnsen Sogn og Fjordane Fylkekommune, Norway
Michael Knights Norfolk County Council, England
Sten Liljedahl Region
Halland, Sweden
Erik Lindboe Rogaland
County Council, Norway
Ingrid Martin Europaburo Wesermarsch, Germany
Susan
Matheson Aberdeen
City Council, Scotland
Neil
Prentice Angus
Council, Scotland
Alan Russell Fife
Council, Scotland
Thomas Springbrunn Wilhelmshaven City Council, Germany
Robert Vik More & Romsdal County
Council, Norway
Astrid Vliebergh Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Thore Westermoen (Vice Chair) Vest-Agder Fylkeskommune, Norway
Jorg Wilke Wirtschaftsforder
Ung Wesermarsch GMB, Germany
3. Agreement
of Minutes
The minutes from the NSC EDG meeting in Viborg,
Denmark on Thursday 22 January 2004 were approved.
4. Matters arising
NSC EDG Promotional Leaflet
The group discussed the proposed promotional leaflet
and pdf file for the NSC EDG. The group
agreed that the EDG should proceed with the production of a 'pilot' leaflet
(and pdf format) for use at the NSC General Assembly (GA) in June. This could be used as a template for
promotional material produced by the other NSC Thematic Groups.
Action:
|
Daniel Dobson-Mouawad (Suffolk County Council) to
oversee the production of the NSC EDG promotional leaflet. |
|
Karen Greve Somerset (NSC) to put the issue of
promotional material on the agenda of the next NSC Executive Committee
meeting. |
NSC EDG contribution to Regeneration and Renewal
Magazine
Daniel Dobson-Mouawad (Suffolk County Council)
advised the group that 'Regeneration and Renewal' magazine (www.regenerationmagazine.com)
is interested in capturing NSC Economic Development Group members’ views in
relation to :
·
CAP Reform
·
Structural Funds
·
Renewable Energy
Regeneration and Renewal magazine is published weekly and has an average
circulation figure of 20,000. The Royal
Town Planning Institute, British Urban Regeneration Association, the
Institution of Economic Development and the Royal Institution of Chartered
Surveyors' Regeneration Forum have an official association with this
publication and copies are sent to all UK members who have requested them.
It was agreed that the EDG Co-ordinator would
circulate questions on the three identified topics to all group members, and
the NSC Secretariat, seeking their input.
It was proposed that the information received by e
mail from group members would be combined with the feedback obtained at the
Ipswich meeting. This would then be
forwarded to the magazine to be covered in an article.
It was agreed that this would be good publicity for the work of the NSC EDG.
Action:
|
NSC EDG Co-ordinator to circulate questions to all
group members and co-ordinate the response to Regeneration and Renewal
magazine. |
NSC EDG membership and attendance
Karen Greve Somerset (North Sea Commission) advised
the group of the work currently being undertaken to update the NSC Thematic
Groups’ databases and web pages.
The group discussed the need to increase attendance
at future meetings. It was highlighted
that there are now so many joint NSC activities taking place it is often
difficult for local councils to send officials to all the meetings. Karen Greve Somerset advised the group that
a review of NSC structures and activities is likely to take place after the GA
in June.
Action:
|
NSC EDG Co-ordinator and group members to check
existing web pages and advise of any additions or alterations. |
Food and Drink Forum partnership working
James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council) advised the
group that he has been in contact with Arne Monrad Johnsen (Sogn og Fjordane Fylkekommune) and they are giving
consideration to developing a food industry network around the North Sea area.
Action:
|
James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council) to keep group
members informed on this project. |
5. Networking
A short introduction was given by Iain
Dunnett (Suffolk County Council), Toby Warren
(Ipswich Borough Council) and Derek Walker (Derek Walker Consultancy Ltd). They discussed a number of projects where
the County Council and the Borough Council are working together, eg the
waterfront developments and the new University.
6. North Sea
Commission Executive Committee
Cllr Audrey Findlay (Chair NSC EDG) gave an update on
the NSC Executive Committee meeting held on 25-26 March. She advised the group about the proposed
change in the NSC Presidency and Secretariat following the General Assembly
(GA) in June 2004. She also advised
that it is likely that, following the GA there would be a review of the
structure, funding and activities of the Thematic Groups. The issue of funding for the NSC EDG
Co-ordinators post had also been discussed at the Executive Committee
meeting. So far there have been no candidates
for the post and it was agreed that, pending the outcome of any review, the
situation should continue whilst funding was available. The Executive Committee also discussed the
funding relationship between the NSC and the CPMR.
Cllr Findlay also summarised a presentation and
discussion that took place on the North Sea Commission's relationship with the
Northern Dimension and the Baltic Sea area.
(more information can be found on www.northsea.org
).
Karen Greve Somerset (North Sea Commission
Secretariat) advised the group of the very successful joint approach taken by
members of the different Thematic Groups to produce the NSC's response to the
OSPAR guidelines on Offshore Wind farms.
The NSC has now identified a number of individuals employed within
different member councils to track the work of the different OSPAR groups (eg
bio-diversity, coastal zone management).
An application for funding towards this has been made to the CPMR.
Karen also gave an update on Interreg IIIB project
funding and circulated information on the projects that received support at the
February call. The programme has been
very successful with most of the targets being met and the money
allocated. A number of the Priorities
are now closed. There is some funding
remaining in 3.2 for projects looking at sustainable tourism strategies. The NSC Culture and Tourism Group is
considering this topic. It is likely
that the autumn call will be a closed call.
Karen then gave an update on the NSC General Assembly
2004 arrangements. This year there will
be a new format with more time for the Study Tours. The tours will be followed by a 2 hour debate forum.
Helena Nilsson (Region
Vastra Gotaland) advised that the Economic Development Study Tour will be
looking at SMEs and activities used to stimulate and promote SMEs. There will be a visit to the Chalmers
Innovation Centre where there will be a chance to hear a number of case studies
and an overview of activities around the North Sea. There will then be a joint lunch themed on maritime gastronomy.
7.
The CPMR CAP Reform and Rural
Development Group (Inter Commission Group)
James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council) advised that
Aberdeenshire Council will be sending a representative to the next CPMR event
in Florence, and will report back to the NSC.
This event will include discussions on the Cohesion Report and Role
Development.
The Limousin region is bringing forward a rural
innovation project (Future of Rural Regions beyond agriculture). This covers six different aspects (eg
people, economic development, rural development, sustainable development) and
partners are being sought for involvement in at least two projects. These topics may be of interest to members
of the other NSC Thematic Groups. It
appears, however, that participating in this project may be expensive and time
consuming. James will be attending a
meeting in Paris and hopes to establish whether information on best practice
can be gathered through observer status.
Karen Greve Somerset (North Sea Commission
Secretariat) advised the group that the NSC was allowed to send two
representatives to the CPMR CAP Reform and Rural Development Group (Inter
Commission Group) and it may be possible to find another representative to join
James.
Daniel Dobson-Mouawad (Suffolk County Council) stated
that it was important that the NSC formed an official position on CAP Reform so
that the two designated representatives could lobby on behalf of members. It is vital to have a position statement in
order to influence the process. This is
a topic that will be as important as the future of Structural Funds, and it is
very important that we are prepared for the post 2006 position.
Thrond Kjellevold (BTV Co-operation) reminded the
group that rural development in Europe is covered by a many other organisations
(eg Euromontana). Iain Dunnett (Suffolk
County Council) mentioned the European Rural Exchange. Karen Greve Somerset highlighted the themes
of the Interrreg North Sea Rural project.
Drs Rinske Kruisinga (Noord-Holland) stressed the
importance of understanding how and when the decision making process can be
influenced.
The group discussed the wide range of views and
experiences from the different NSC member areas and the difficulty in finding a
common NSC response to the CAP Reform issues.
It was agreed, however, that the NSC should form a view in order to
influence the CPMR.
Cllr Findlay suggested that the NSC’s views on CAP
Reform, and their contribution to the debate at the CPMR, should be discussed
at the NSC Executive Committee meeting in Autumn.
Action:
|
James Knowles to attend future meetings of the CPMR
CAP Reform and Rural Development Group and report back to the EDG. |
|
The NSC Secretariat to assist in identifying an
additional NSC representative on the CPMR CAP Reform and Rural Development
Group. |
|
The NSC Secretariat to ensure that this topic is
included on the agenda of the Autumn meeting of the Executive Committee
meeting. |
8. NSC
Renewable Energy Subgroup
Daniel Dobson-Mouawad (Suffolk County Council)
outlined the very successful event held in Göteburg, Sweden
on the 4th and 5th of February 2004. This was a joint meeting with members of the
NSC Environment Group. This meeting
explored the business opportunities and environmental benefits of Bio-mass
projects in the North Sea area. The
event attracted fourteen delegates representing five different countries.
Members
and guest speakers discussed national renewable energy strategies, the impact
of the CAP Reform, and local bio-mass energy projects operating in member
countries around the North Sea.
The
meeting helped to raise awareness of additional sources of external funding and
best practice in the renewable energy sector.
It also highlighted opportunities for bio-mass projects in the future
and identified policy areas that require input from the NSC.
Daniel also outlined the work done on developing the
‘POWER’ Interreg funding application, and the successful co-ordination of the
NSC’s formal response to the draft OSPAR guidelines.
The next meetings of the group will take place during international Renewable Energy conferences and exhibitions (Aberdeen, Scotland in May and Husum in Germany in October). The intention is to encourage more business representatives to attend future meetings and events.
9. NSC EDG
Business Centres Networking Group.
The EDG Co-ordinator advised the group that she would
be meeting up with Alan Russell (Fife Council) to discuss the future and
direction of this group.
The EDG Co-ordinator will re-contact René
Damkjer (Managing Director of the Agro Business Park near Viborg) for more
information on the possible establishment of a network of specialised agro
business parks around the North Sea.
Action:
|
EDG Co-ordinator to advise group on future Chair
for the BCN subgroup. |
|
EDG Co-ordinator to contact Viborg regarding
information required on specialised agro business parks. |
10. Update on
current Interreg projects
Thrond Kjellvold (BTV Co-operation) gave details on
the recent successful Maritime Partneriat event held in March (approximately
150 companies attended the event and over 800 meetings were undertaken). The web-based technology used to assist with
the organization of this event will be used again for the next event in
September.
Thrond also highlighted very useful project development
information which is contained on the Water City Project CD.
11. NSC EDG
Events
The EDG Co-ordinator advised the Group that a number
of joint events are proposed for members of the NSC Thematic Groups.
The EDG is
involved in the organisation of a joint NSC seminar on culinary heritage, food
tourism and local food projects in the North Sea area. This event will be held in the Wesermarsch
area in Germany at the start of May 2004.
The aims of this event are to:
·
Identify key consumer and food tourism trends around
the North Sea.
·
Identify key food production and retail trends around
the North Sea.
·
Share experiences from around the North Sea.
·
Increase communication between regional food projects
around the North Sea area.
·
Investigate the possibility of new joint initiatives
and sources of funding.
·
Learn from best practice projects around the North
Sea.
Other
planned joint NSC events and projects include:
Action:
|
The EDG Co-ordinator to liaise with the other
Thematic Group Co-ordinators in the development and promotion of joint
events. |
|
The EDG Co-ordinator to liaise with Napier
University, Scottish Enterprise and the other Thematic Group Co-ordinators to
identify the possibility of hosting a joint event on broadband and ICT. |
12. NSC
Transportation and Communication Group - joint Ports and Water Transport
Partnership
The EDG Co-ordinator gave an update from the
Transport and Communication Group (T&C G) Co-ordinator on the development
of the joint Ports and Water Transport Partnership.
The T&C G Co-ordinator reported that he had
received positive replies to the Partnership initiative from approximately 20
people representing Interreg-proejcts, transport operators, ports, regional
authorities, research institutions, universities, business development
organisations, companies and Short Sea Shipping Promotion Centers (SSS PC) in
the UK, Norway, Germany, Belgium and Denmark.
In addition, the initiative was presented to the Baltic Sea Commission, CPMR's
Transport Director, Short Sea Promotion Centres, ports, shipping lines,
Interreg projects and national transport authorities in the Baltic Sea area
during a seminar on the new TEN-T project "Motorways of the sea" in
Lithuania on 8-9 March. The Baltic Sea
parties thought that a Partnership could be a useful tool for further
development of the Sea motorways concept, and for discussing project proposals. It was pointed out, however, that
organisations interested in ports and Short Sea Shipping already exist on the
European level, and that the Partnership initiative should, therefore, be
further explored and co-ordinated with those organisations in order to avoid
duplication of effort. It is also
understood that the Baltic Sea Interreg Secretariat has plans for developing
co-ordination between running projects on sea transport.
The T&C G Co-ordinator has also discussed the Partnership initiative with
the Norwegian representative on the European Short Sea Network - ESN. It was agreed that the ESN and the NSC had
many common interests in this field, and that there should be an exchange
of information and contact between the organisations in the future. The ESN representative will attend the NSC
T&C Group meeting in Kristiansand on 26-27 May in order to inform them
about ESN/SPCs. The NSC was invited to take part in the next meeting of the ESN
(date to be confirmed). The ESN
chairmanship is currently held by Ireland (ie following the EU
chairmanships). The Chairman will
formally give an answer to the partnership initiative on behalf of the ESN.
The T&C G Co-ordinator feels that the positive responses received so far
make a follow-up initiative worthwhile.
It is necessary, however, to clarify the role and functions of the
partnership in relation to the existing port and short sea organisations in
Europe. In addition, the issues of organising and funding the partnership
should be further explored once the role and functions have been clarified.
The proposed Partnership will also be discussed at
the next meeting of the Transport & Communication group in Kristiansand on
26-27 May. The T&C G Co-ordinator
will keep the EDG updated on their discussions at the meeting, as well on any
further responses to the Partnership.
Action:
|
EDG Co-ordinator to maintain contact with the T&C G Co-ordinator on the
development of the Partnership. |
13. NSC
Environment Group - Sustainable Innovation - Conference Proposal Jerry Hindle (Suffolk
County Council) outlined the proposed NSC Environment Group conference that is
due to be held in Arendal, Norway during October (21st-23rd). The theme of this meeting is ‘Promoting
Innovative Sustainability’. The
Environment Group aim to attract 80-100 people to the conference. A sub-group has been established to develop
this event.
The Environment Group would like to involve the EDG
and is looking for examples of:
The Environment Group is seeking ideas for:
It was agreed that the EDG Co-ordinator would liaise
with the Environment Group representatives and circulate information to EDG
members.
Action:
|
EDG Co-ordinator to circulate information to group
members requesting ideas for speakers, workshops etc. |
14. Economic
Development Group Action Plan 2004
James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council) and Daniel
Dobson-Mouawad (Suffolk County Council) circulated an outline Action Plan for
2004.
Karen Greve Somerset (North Sea Commission) advised
the group that the Thematic Group Action Plans are to be submitted to the
Spring meeting of the NSC Executive Committee to coincide with the funding
decisions for the next twelve months.
The group members discussed the content and structure of the draft Action Plan. It was agreed that :
The group agreed that the Action Plan should also
identify how the group intends to increase political involvement in its
activities. It was suggested that the
group could follow the example of the NSC Environment Group which successfully
includes a political meeting as part of an annual conference.
The group discussed the need for strong political
support for the group to ensure that more members are able to take part in, and
benefit from, the work of the EDG.
Action:
|
James Knowles and Daniel Dobson-Mouawad to revise
the EDG Action Plan and circulate to group members. |
15. Networking
with the EuroInformation Centres
The EDG Co-ordinator advised the group of meetings
held with Glasgow based representatives from the EuroInformation Centres. The aim of the meetings was to investigate
the possibility developing more formal links between the group and other
European organisations working with issues affecting SMEs (for information and
lobbying purposes).
The Group Co-ordinator advised that the Glasgow-based
Euro Info Centre representatives did not have the resources to establish a formal
link with the group. They did, however,
offer to help in terms of finding speakers from the local EICs to attend our
future meetings. In addition they
intend contacting the EIC in Inverness to establish if any other support may be
available.
The EIC representatives also advised that they were
unable to advise the Group on lobbying matters. They suggested, however,
that in terms of tracking legislation the group should consider contacting
'Small Business Europe'. This group
represents the interests of UK SMEs in Europe. They maintain a very useful website that tracks relevant topics
for SMEs (www.smallbusinesseurope.org)
and may be able to offer advice on people who would be able to attend meetings
to speak/advise on lobbying.
The EIC representatives also contacted the Scotland
Europa office in Glasgow to see if/how they could get involved in the work of
the group and will advise the EDG Co-ordinator of their response.
Action:
|
EDG Co-ordinator to maintain contact with the
Scottish based representatives of the Euro Info Centre and to consider
inviting a local EIC representative to a future meeting of the Group. |
|
EDG Co-ordinator to contact Small Business Europe
for potential speakers and events. |
16. Funding
of Economic Development Thematic Group Secretariat
James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council) advised the
group that ten members have agreed to contribute towards the continued funding
of the Co-ordinators post.
In addition there will be a contribution from the NSC. There appears, therefore, to be sufficient
funding to continue with the existing arrangement until the end of the
year. It is recognised that there will
be a review of all the NSC Thematic Groups in the autumn and the situation may
then change.
Action:
|
James Knowles to co-ordinate contributions from
group members and the NSC. |
17. Any other
business
James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council) requested that
the Cohesion Report should be on the agenda for the next meeting of the group.
Thrond Kjellevold (BTV Co-operation) suggested that
more research should be carried out to identify airport links that exist around
the North Sea. This information could
assist in identifying possible future project partners.
Action:
|
A discussion on the issues raised by the Cohesion
Report to be included on the agenda for the next meeting of the group. |
|
EDG Co-ordinator to contact the T&CG
Co-ordinator for information about airport links around the North Sea. |
18. Date and
venue of next meeting
The next meeting of the EDG was proposed for the 9th
and 10th of September 2004 in Sogn
og Fjordane Fylkekommune, Norway.
Action:
|
EDG Co-ordinator to contact Arne Monrad Johnsen at Sogn og Fjordane Fylkekommune to establish suitable dates
and the possibility of linking with a local business/trade event. |