Attendees: Lord Rana, NICCI
Seamus McAleavey, NICVA
Wilfred Mitchell, FSB
Geraldine Quinn, FSB
Richard Kenny, DEL
Michael Brennan, DFP
Fiona Hepper, DETI
Philip Rodgers, DETI
Helen McConkey, DETI
Welcome and Introduction
1. Lord Rana welcomed members to the 1st meeting of the Forum's Enterprise Sub-group and noted apologies from Patricia McKeown, NIC/ICTU and Bernie O'Hare, DEL.
2. Lord Rana explained that the purpose of the Sub-group was to identify a number of key enterprise issues where action by the Forum would contribute to the revitalisation of the NI economy. The Sub-group's agreed list of issues would then be brought to the full EDF meeting scheduled for 15 September.
Working Methods
3. Members agreed that the Sub-group did not need to work only through formal meetings and that members should also take part in informal engagement as opportunities arose.
Identification of Issues to be Progressed by Sub-group
4. During discussion it was agreed that the Sub-group needed to undertake an information gathering exercise with a view to the identification of any gaps where action by the Forum would make a difference and contribute to the enterprise agenda. It was recognised that a considerable body of information was available and it was important for the Sub-group to use what was already available to inform their discussions. Issues identified, which required further consideration included:
– The need for a culture change - NI companies and public sector organisations were risk-averse and the education system could do more to encourage enterprise.
– The need for Government to be seen as a facilitator for enterprise. HMT was unlikely to consider regional policy instruments but would be prepared to look at national instruments which might disproportionately help NI, particularly red tape and its constraints on small businesses.
– Evaluation of Invest NI's Accelerating Entrepreneurship Strategy (AES) and "Go For It" campaign.
– Lack of support for the micro business sector, the proportion of business support providers versus the number of small businesses and lack of outreach work to inform businesses of the services available to them.
– Need for a succinct list of the products / services available from Invest NI and access to a single point of contact for advice and support.
– Barriers to business growth such as deregulation issues, lack of advanced IT skills and languages, dependency on local market e.g. construction industry and lack of management skills
– Need for improved public / private sector engagement, where appropriate.
– Potential for further co-ordination between Government Departments.
5. In terms of research, members were advised that DETI's research agenda included a number of projects covering enterprise and competitiveness and it was agreed that the Terms of Reference for future projects, where appropriate, would be presented to the Sub-group for their views. Members were advised that enterprise research in the current year included improving evidence on low start-up levels and the barriers preventing growth into larger businesses. Members were also informed about an FSB survey about lifting the barriers to growth which was in its third year. These projects may address many of the gaps that members had identified.
ACTION: Secretariat to arrange for a presentation by Invest NI on its AES and Go For It campaign at the next Sub-group meeting.
ACTION: DETI to bring, where appropriate / relevant, Terms of Reference for enterprise research projects to the Sub-group for views / comments.
ACTION: FSB to share the results of its lifting barriers to growth survey with DETI.
6. It was agreed that a short written report outlining the issues discussed at the 1st Sub-group would be presented at the June EDF meeting.
Co-opting of Members to Sub-group
7. Members agreed that, in trying to identify the key issues, the Sub-group needed to obtain the views of other interested parties and, in particular, find out about best practice and lessons learnt elsewhere. Members agreed that contact with industry leaders and colleagues in ROI, who had been through a significant period of change, would be appropriate.
ACTION: Ivan McCabrey, MIVAN and Kevin Lagan, Lagan Holdings to be invited to the meet with members of the Sub-group.
Any Other Business
8. The next two meetings of the Sub-group were set for 21 June and 25 July, at 10.00am at the Ramada Hotel.