Economic Development Group

Minutes and action points

Present

2.  Welcome
Members of the Business Development Group were welcomed by acting Chair Alan Russell (Fife Council, Scotland).  He thanked Thomas Springbrunn (Wilhelmshaven City Council, Germany) for arranging the previous day's programme of speakers and a study tour.  He also thanked Thomas for his assistance with the meeting arrangements and hospitality.  Alan then outlined the agenda and aims of the meeting.

3.  Apologies
Apologies were received from

Alan advised the Group that Cllr Anne McGovern has now been appointed Leader of Fife Council in Scotland.  As her local workload has now increased, however, she has decided she will be unable to continue as the NSC BDG Chair.  (Fife Council will now be represented on the NSC by Cllr Alec Thomson).  It is understood that the new Business Development Group Chair will be agreed at the NSC Executive Committee in Cuxhaven on Wednesday 18 June.  Group members asked the Co-ordinator to send their thanks to Cllr McGovern for all her help with the work of the Group.

4.  Agreement of Minutes
The Minutes from the last NSC BDG meeting in Bergen, Norway, Wednesday 12 March 2003 were agreed. 

5.  Matters arising
It was agreed that any matters would be discussed during the meeting.

6.  North Sea Commission activities
The Group Co-ordinator advised that Henrik Jensen (North Sea Commission Secretariat) was unable to attend the BDG meeting as he was involved in preparation work for the NSC General Assembly (Cuxhaven, Germany 18 - 20 June).  The NSC Executive Committee would be meeting in Cuxhaven on Wednesday 18 June.  The minutes of the Executive Committee would be available on the NSC website (www.northsea.org).  Group members were, therefore, advised to visit the website for up to date details on NSC activities.

The Co-ordinator advised members that a new Group Chair would be appointed at the NSC Executive Committee meeting.  The Group agreed that this year we should encourage even greater involvement from our political representatives in order to influence debate on Economic Development issues.

7.  Proposed Interreg IIIB Project on Rural Development in the North Sea Area.   Thrond Kjellevold (BTV Co-operation, Norway) gave the Group an update on this project.  Thrond outlined the three areas of project research (social, transport and economic).  This project has attracted a lot of interest and is fully booked - although a German partner is still being sought.  It is hoped, however, that a German partner will be found at the Directoria Partner Search in Cuxhaven, and the application will be submitted to the September Interreg meeting.  

8.  The CPMR CAP Reform and Rural Development Group (Inter Commission Group) 
James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council, Scotland) gave an update on the work of the CPMR CAP Reform Group.  The next meeting of the CPMR Group has been scheduled for July. 

James informed the BDG that in Scotland six local councils are currently working with the Scottish Executive to establish the likely impact of CAP Reform in the East of Scotland.  It is feared that any reduction to subsidies will have a major impact on the farming industry in the east of Scotland.

James advised that although he attends the CPMR CAP Reform and Rural Development Group, he does not formally represent the North Sea Commission Business Development Group.  The CAP Reform will, obviously, affect a number of partner areas.  The BDG may, therefore, wish to consider making a representation to its NSC political members on this topic.

Daniel Dobson-Mouwawad (Suffolk County Council, England) advised that the East of England is also investigating this subject.  The impact of CAP Reform may also be affected by proposed changes to the European Constitution and the next round of budget allocations.  This could have an implication for local Bio-mass activities in the future.

In many areas landscape, farming and tourism are all inter-related.  It is important, therefore, that the BDG examines how we can help the local agricultural sector survive.  Consideration should be given to encouraging local diversification and political lobbying at national and international levels.

Thrond Kjellevold (BTV Co-operation, Norway) suggested the Group looked at the EuroMontana project.  This project considers areas where agriculture is a basic industry and could give ideas for lobbying.  A website has been developed (www.euromountains.net) - although most of the information is currently in Norwegian.

Action:
BDG members should investigate what their local Council is doing to prepare for CAP Reform.

BDG members should visit the EuroMontana website.

BDG will discuss possible political lobbying activities at the next meeting.

9.  NSC Transportation and Communication Group - Ports and Shipping Partnership
Following the successful joint meeting with the NSC Transportation and Communication Group, it is proposed that a meeting/seminar is organised to consider developing a joint North Sea "Ports and Shipping Partnership".  The Group Co-ordinator advised that a member of the T&CG is currently investigating the structure and organisation of the NSC Fisheries Partnership as a possible template.

Action :
BDG Co-ordinator to liaise with NSC T&CG Co-ordinator to progress this project and report back to the Group members.

10. NSC Transportation and Communication Group - Proposed Joint ICT Project.  
Following the joint meeting with the NSC T&CG it was proposed that a joint event should be planned on Broadband and ICT.  This event should also include the NSC Education and Research Group.  It has been suggested that the event could be held in Vlaanderen, Belgium on 10 September.  It is important, however, that all three NSC Groups have a chance to contribute to the programme.   In order to allow more time for preplanning, therefore, it is possible that this event will take place at a later date.  This event will be discussed with the other Thematic Group Co-ordinators before the NSC Executive Committee meeting in Cuxhaven.  Group members will be sent an update by the BDG Co-ordinator.

Action :
BDG Co-ordinator to liaise with the other NSC Group Co-ordinators to progress this project and report back to all Group members on the date, venue and topic.

11.  NSC Fisheries Group - Joint Conference Proposal
The BDG Co-ordinator advised the Group that a joint conference is has been proposed by the NSC Fisheries Group.  The topic for this conference is the Changing Role of Women in traditional fishing and farming communities in the North Sea area.  It is proposed that this conference will involve members of the NSC Fisheries Group, Business Development Group, Education & Research Group and the Culture & Tourism Group.  The provisional arrangement was for the event to be held in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on 25/26 September.  In order to allow more time to involve the various NSC groups, however, it is possible that this event will now take place at a later date.  This project should be discussed by the Thematic Group Co-ordinators before the NSC Executive Committee in Cuxhaven.   The BDG Co-ordinator will update group members on the timescales, location and content of the event.

Action:
BDG Co-ordinator to liaise with the other NSC Group Co-ordinators to progress this project and report back to all Group members.

BDG members should send the Group Co-ordinator information and contact details for any special initiative they have developed to help women start up in business or find new employment.

12.  Renewable Energy - Business Opportunities in the North Sea Area. 
Daniel Dobson-Mouawad (Suffolk County Council, England) updated the Group on the first meeting of this special subgroup.  The meeting took place in Aberdeen, Scotland on Friday 23 May.  This coincided with a major conference on the Renewable Energy sector.  The information from this conference confirmed that the business opportunities in this sector are very large.  Opportunities exist for companies with specialist knowledge and manufacturing skills.  It is important, however, that we have a strategy for development that gives businesses confidence to invest in this sector.  The Renewable Energy Subgroup has agreed to continue to meet.   The agreed aims of this group are:

• To help ensure macro benefits from the growth of the renewable energy sector assist businesses and communities on a micro level. 

• To advise political representatives on the legislation and market forces affecting this industrial sector in the North Sea area.

Daniel also highlighted the importance of developing a project idea with a practical outcome that identified best practice in this sector.   Michael Moll (Suffolk County Council, England) circulated an Interreg Project Idea "Energy : A holistic renewable energy strategy for local authorities".  It is hoped that this project can be advanced at the Directoria Partner Search in Cuxhaven.

The subgroup also discussed a possible joint meeting/event with the NSC Environment Group on the theme of Bio mass energy and development of community heat and power projects in the North Sea area. 

The next meeting of the Renewable Energy Subgroup will be in Suffolk, England on 30-31 October.  It is proposed that this will include a meeting of the potential international partners of the Interreg project.

Action :
BDG Co-ordinator will circulate information about the next meeting of the Renewable Energy subgroup.

BDG Co-ordinator will contact the NSC Environment Group Co-ordinator to discuss a joint meeting on the topic of bio mass energy and community heat and power projects.

13.  Business Centres Networking Group
Alan Russell (Fife Council, Scotland) updated the Group on the first meeting of the North Sea Business Centres Networking Group.  This meeting had been held earlier that morning in Wilhelmshaven (A separate minute of the meeting will be made available to Group members). 

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 aims of the Group are:

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

A three-stage project is proposed to progress this concept.  The next meeting of this specialist Group is proposed for the morning of Thursday 2 October in Fife, Scotland to coincide with the next meeting of the NSC Business Development Group.

Action :
BDG Co-ordinator to circulate information about the new Business Centres Networking Group.

14.  Update on Interreg projects
Thrond Kjellvold, (BTV Co-operation, Norway) advised the Group on BTV's aim to be the number one region for businesses, and to become involved in more joint projects.  Thrond updated the Group on a number of the projects  :

The Telemark Cow
Canal Links
Mobility and National Parks
Nordic Transportpolitical Network
Forum Skagerak
Suport.net
North Sea Exchange Protocol 
Bridge-IT, North Sea E-Business Project  

Thrond advised the Group of the importance of preplanning for any new project.  It is vital that local politicians are aware, support and are involved in each project at an early stage.  Support should, if possible, also be sought from other NSC Thematic Group members.  National representatives on the Interreg Steering Committee should also be contacted and engaged in the projects at the preplanning stage.   Good preparation and strong political support are essential to successful funding applications.

15.  Business Development Group new projects.  
The BDG Co-ordinator outlined the various activities planned for the Business Development Group during 2003 - 2004.  In addition to the projects identified in items 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 above, it is also proposed there is a possible joint event/project with the NSC Culture and Tourism Group.  Group members were asked to suggest some themes :

• Johan Pensgaard (Vest-Agder Fylkeskommune, Norway) suggested the Lighthouses project.
• Thrond Kjellvold, (BTV Co-operation, Norway) suggested a food theme or a connection with the World Conference on Inland Waterways (24 September in Edinburgh, Scotland).
• Alan Russell (Fife Council, Scotland) suggested a group study of the business/tourism development, use and potential of the new ferry service between Rosyth (Scotland) and Zebrugge (Belgium).

Action :
BDG Co-ordinator to liaise with the NSC Culture & Tourism Group Co-ordinator to identify a theme for a future joint meeting or event.

16.  Business Development Group - plans for the future
The Group discussed the need to raise awareness of the activities of the Business Development Group to politicians, Economic Development officers and organisations throughout the North Sea area.  The Group also discussed the aim of encouraging more political involvement in its work. 

The members agreed that the Group Chair and Vice Chair should be approached to identify priority political issues for the future.  Other local politicians involved in the work of the NSC could also be asked for themes for discussion. 

The Group discussed the possibility of having a special meeting(s) each year involving politicians and senior officials on a specific theme (eg Renewable Energy, the EU Green Paper on Entrepreneurship).  It was agreed that political lobbying should start at the local level.

It was agreed that the Group Co-ordinator should investigate developing the existing BDG database to include more Economic Development officials.  The Co-ordinator would also consider the possibility of producing some simple promotional text highlighting the work of the BDG. 

The Group agreed that as part of its campaign to increase awareness and improve networking, the name of the Thematic Group should be changed to the "NSC Economic Development Group".  It was agreed that this was a better interpretation of the work of the Group - as its aim is to help create the conditions for economic growth in the North Sea area.

Action :
BDG Co-ordinator to request the NSC Executive Committee agrees to change the name of this Thematic Group to the "Economic Development Group".

BDG Co-ordinator to investigate developing the existing database to include more Economic Development officials.

BDG Co-ordinator to investigate the possibility of developing special promotional material to highlight the work of the Group.

17.   Any other business
James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council, Scotland) requested that BDG members are sent the minutes from the other NSC Thematic Groups.

Action:
BDG Co-ordinator to contact NSC Secretariat to arrange distribution of minutes from the other Thematic Groups.

18.  Date and venue of next meeting
The first meeting of the new NSC Economic Development Group will be held in Fife, Scotland (near Edinburgh) on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 October 2003.

Draft programme :

Thursday 2 October
Morning - meeting of the Business Centres Networking Group
Afternoon - Study Tour/presentations on key economic development themes
Evening - Dinner

Friday 3 October
Morning - meeting of the new NSC Economic Development Group
Afternoon - optional Study Tour (and possible visit to National Seafood Week promotion at the Scottish Fisheries Museum)