MINUTES OF THE 20^TH meeting of

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM, 9 JUNE 2004

department of employment and learning, adelaide house

 

Present:            See attached list (Annex 1)

 

Apologies:         Barry Gardiner, John Spellar, Stephen Kingon, Peter Bunting, Michael McGuckin, Lawrence Smyth, John Gilliland, Roy Crawford, Doreen Brown.

 

1.                  Introduction

 

1.1       Mr Robinson welcomed those present and noted the apologies.  He welcomed Richard Sterling (Londonderry Chamber of Commerce), Clarke Black (Ulster Farmers’ Union) and Ian Humes (DRD) to their first meeting of the Forum.

 

1.2               Mr Robinson advised members that John Gilliland had stood aside from EDF in light of his candidacy in the European election.  He also advised that John Hughes had left the University of Ulster to take up a new post in Maynooth and that Roy Crawford, QUB, would succeed John as the Higher Education representative on EDF.

 

2.         Minutes of the previous meeting – 10 March 2004

 

2.1               The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2004 were agreed without amendment.

 

3.         Matters Arising

 

3.1               Mr Robinson updated members in relation to the following matters arising:

 

Government Procurement Service

-         Copies of the DFP document, Public Procurement – A Guide for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, had been circulated to members on 6 May.  During discussion it was agreed that a presentation to EDF on the role of the Government Procurement Service would be useful, although this was not considered to be a priority.

 

            ACTION: Secretariat to include a presentation on the role of the Government Procurement Service on the agenda for a future Forum meeting.

 

DCAL Creativity Seed Fund Evaluation

-         It was noted that details of the DCAL Creativity Seed Fund evaluation had been circulated to members.

 

Composition of the Integrated Transport Stakeholder Group

-         It was noted that details of the composition of the Integrated Transport Stakeholder Group had been provided by DRD and circulated to members.

 

4.                  EU Enlargement - Presentation by NI-CO

 

4.1       Mr Robinson reminded members of their request for a presentation on the role of NI-CO.  He introduced Rupert Haydock, Chief Executive of NI-CO and invited him to give his presentation.

 

4.2               Mr Haydock explained the background to NI-CO and advised that the organisation’s role was to act as a central marketing body for NI Government Departments and public service agencies seeking to be involved in technical assistance and consultancy contracts overseas.  He outlined the opportunities for NI as a result of the expansion of Europe, highlighted NI’s unique experience in the management of Structural Funds and provided details of some of the sectors and projects with which NI-CO had been involved.  Mr Haydock concluded by highlighting the key benefits of working with NI-CO overseas.

 

4.3               During discussion, members noted the extent and depth of NI-CO activities and were keen to ensure that NI companies could find a way to tap into the extensive contacts acquired by NI-CO.  It was noted that Invest NI could have a key role to play in establishing a mechanism for the exchange of knowledge.

 

            ACTION: Invest NI to examine existing arrangements for the exchange of knowledge  / contacts, with a view to strengthening this, and to report back to EDF on developments.

 

5.                  DETI Research into the Impact of EU Enlargement

 

5.1               Philip Rodgers presented a paper summarising the main findings, opportunities, threats and recommendations arising from research, commissioned from PwC, into the impact of EU enlargement on the NI economy.

 

5.2               During discussion, some members expressed concern that the nature of the threat posed to NI had been underestimated and did not take account of broader issues which would impact on NI in the medium term such as the review of structural funds and state aid.  Mr Robinson indicated that he shared some of these concerns and noted that DETI had learnt lessons through this process about the nature / commissioning of research which, in future, would aim to be more focused.

 

6.                  Other DETI Research

 

6.1               Philip Rodgers presented to members a paper summarising the current position in relation to a number of other DETI research projects and, in particular, sought views on the priority assigned to projects.

 

6.2               During discussion it was agreed that it would be helpful to see the research projects split into three categories, the first being high-level strategic projects relating to areas exposed to external pressures, the second being areas which can be influenced by NI policy and the third covering operational research.  It was agreed that DETI Economists would consider the development of such a framework and present a paper on this to the September meeting of EDF.  Members also noted the proposal to discuss DEL research at the September meeting.

 

ACTION: DETI Economists to review the research framework and present to a future meeting.

 

7.                  Strategic Energy Framework

 

7.1               Jenny Pyper, DETI, gave a presentation on the work of the Department to develop a Strategic Energy Framework for NI.  She highlighted DETI’s PfG commitment and outlined the key issues identified during consultation namely:- electricity prices; the all-island energy market; energy efficiency; fuel poverty; renewables and the environment.  Mrs Pyper outlined the EU energy agenda and the UK White Paper produced in February 2003.  She explained progress towards an all-island energy market, highlighted future challenges and outlined the proposed Strategic Energy Framework (SEF).

 

7.2               During the discussion which ensued, members emphasised the importance of not underestimating the impact of energy costs on the competitiveness of NI.  The logic of an all-island policy was acknowledged and it was suggested that the issue of fuel poverty should be a priority for EDF.  It was also noted that EDF members may have differing views on some aspects of energy policy, for example, members’ position regarding renewables.  Mr Robinson advised that the final SEF would be issued to all members on publication and acknowledged that there might be a mixed reaction across the various sectors represented on the Forum.  Any further comments would be welcome.

 

8.                  Medium Term Strategic Priorities (MTSPs) Sub-group Report

 

8.1               Mr Robinson invited Seamus McAleavey to present the Sub-group report.  Mr McAleavey updated members on work by the Sub-group to consider what the Forum might do in relation to the key weaknesses facing the NI economy, as detailed in the Forum’s January 2004 statement.  He advised that the Sub-group recommended that details of ongoing or planned actions in this regard should be reflected in the next EDF statement to be published at the end of 2004.  Mr McAleavey also updated members on work by Regional Forecasts to refine the MTSPs framework.  He outlined Regional Forecast’s proposed framework of goals, intermediate objectives and drivers of change noting that it would be the drivers of change that could be influenced by policy decisions.

 

8.2               During discussion, members welcomed the move towards simplifying the MTSPs structure to reduce the overall number of targets and ensure these were appropriately focused and measurable.  It was agreed that the MTSPs Sub-group would consult further with members and present an update on this to the September meeting.

 

ACTION: MTSPs Sub-group, to further develop proposals for refining the MTSPs framework and present an update to the September meeting.

 

9.         Economic Vision for Northern Ireland

 

9.1               Mr Robinson explained the background to the development of the draft Economic Vision for Northern Ireland and invited members to comment.  During discussion, members gave a broad welcome to the approach being taken and expressed a desire to be involved in the process of developing the Vision further.  It was agreed that further bi-lateral engagement with the various organisations represented on EDF would take place over the summer months and that a further developed version would be tabled at the September meeting.

 

ACTION: DETI to arrange bi-lateral discussions with EDF members to further develop the Vision document and provide an update on this at the September meeting.

 

10.              Enterprise Sub-group Report

 

10.1           Dr McMorris updated members on progress relating to the fiscal incentives research project and arrangements for the All Island Competitiveness Forum to be held in Belfast on 3 June.

 

10.2           In relation to work on the shadow economy, Dr McMorris updated members on the Sub-group’s discussions with representatives of the Organised Crime Task Force.  He reported that the Taskforce was actively involved in addressing many of the key areas identified by EDF and that there was already considerable engagement between the Task Force and the private sector.  He advised that the Sub-group had concluded that it was unlikely that the Forum could add any significant value to the work already being progressed by the Task Force.  In response, members expressed continuing concern, particularly in relation to shadow economy activity within the construction industry.  It was agreed that this should remain as an area for action by EDF.

 

10.3           Members noted that the Terms of Reference for the Enterprise Sub-group had, to a large extent, been met.  It was agreed, therefore, that the Sub-group should be stood down and that any residual issues would be placed on the agenda for the regular quarterly meetings.

 

11.              DEL Skills Strategy

 

11.1           Mr Robinson invited Catherine Bell to give a presentation on the DEL Skills Strategy.  Mrs Bell outlined the proposed Strategy and highlighted the focus on developing skills in three phases, namely: learning about work; learning for/into work; and learning at, and through, work.  Members welcomed the proposed Strategy, noted that good progress had been made in recent years but highlighted the need to proactively address the issue of skills within the voluntary and community sector.

 

[Bruce Robinson left the meeting at this stage and Fabian Monds took the Chair]

 

12.              Progress Reports

 

12.1           Members noted the contents of written progress reports on the Regional Transportation Strategy, the Employability Taskforce and DETI Key Issues.  In response to a request from DRD to nominate a representative to join a group to undertake a focussed assessment of the Regional Development Strategy, it was agreed that the Secretariat would circulate details of the group to all members and invite volunteers.

 

[Subsequent to the meeting, all members received copies of the relevant papers and Seamus McAleavey agreed to represent EDF on the DRD led group]

 

13.              Any Other Business

 

13.1           Mr Rooney suggested that it would be useful if the Forum could be updated in relation to careers provision in NI.  In particular, he expressed an interest in hearing about current provision, current / planned activities and the longer-term vision for careers in NI.

 

ACTION: Secretariat to place careers on agenda for a future Forum meeting.

 

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ANNEX 1

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM MEETING – 9 JUNE 2004