Thursday 14 November 2013

Meeting - November 2013

Forum administration
Councillor Steve Gray was welcomed, in absentia, as the new Vice Chair. This provided a useful cross-over between the Forum and the Town Council.

Forum purpose 
The revised purpose was tweaked and agreed as being:

'The Town Forum is a non-political, non-aligned, open, results-orientated forum which exists to assist the successful vitality, viability and sustainable growth of Falmouth. It brings together representatives of groups and organisations in the town – from the commercial, charitable and statutory sectors, and from community groups – to talk about strategic and current issues, share knowledge, and to explore and help deliver projects to the benefit of the future of the town. Being non-aligned, it has the freedom to explore ideas in ways which other organisations cannot.

'It is also a bridging body - a sounding board - and a channel of communication.'

As this hardly rolls off the tongue, members were invited to contribute alternative snappier versions.

Forum constitution
The chairman would lead a team with the aim of creating a constitution on one side of paper.

Proposed and actual cuts to Cornwall Council Budgets and their effects on the town
It was unclear what specific cuts were being proposed by Cornwall Council but Falmouth Town Council was already taking steps to pick up priority services. For example, they were planning, or looking at taking on:
  • A long lease of the Town Hall
  • The management of the six public toilets from April
  • The costs of the core operation of the CCTV monitoring 
They were also in discussion about other areas of activity.

This work had caused the Town Council to look at its priorities:
  • They had recently appointed Christina Hayman, an FU Events Management graduate, as events management assistant
  • They had also dropped the idea of funding a Neighbourhood Plan
  • They had commissioned a review of the seafront furniture so that areas could be targeted for repair
All agreed that the wider Cornwall Council agenda looked very bleak and there was a real chance that everything discretionary would have to go. The Town Council could pick things up, funded from an enhanced precept.

Everyone was encouraged to tell councillors what they saw as priorities.

Marine Issues
The report on the dredging trial was still awaited.

Cruise Ship calls were reportedly down for 2014. The main reason given was that larger ships were avoiding the port because of the inability to dock alongside and the problems of trans-shipment.

There was no further news on the proposed Special Protection Area.

BID Renewal
The manifesto and voting slips have been sent out. Early indications were that there is a good response. We will know the full picture after the ballot closes on 28th November.

Tall Ships 2014
Progress is reportedly being made.

Radio Signals
Thing seem to have improved recently following conversations with Ofcom.

Source FM are close to securing their new Transmitter. With thirteen days to run they are still about £1.2k short of their £4k crowd-funding target. Although they have won a £10k award from Santander, this funding cannot be used for their new transmitter.

Any other business
The Forum bank account is now empty.

The Civic Society has published their latest newsletter. They will be posting some more information about sustainable development and town extension onto their website. This is very relevant for a town seeking to grow as fast as is planned.

The Bickland Water Road planning application is with FTC.

The Local Development Plan is now being delayed until 2015 which is leaving the way clear for some pretty undesirable developments. The Town Council is promoting its view that the target for new houses for Falmouth and Penryn should be 4,000 rather than 5,000.

Penryn Campus has received planning permission for two new projects:
  • The Heart project which will create a new, public, open space and involve landscaping to make the whole site link together much better
  • A new science and engineering research support facility for the University of Exeter. This will be located at the top of the site close to the Environment and Sustainability Institute and adjacent to the Tremough Innovation Centre 
Both are planned to be completed in 2015 subject to funding being confirmed.

The Town Council:
  • Is still discussing an application for a new cemetery 
  • Did very well in the Britain in Bloom competition (in Cleethorpes in the rain), winning a Silver Gilt award. They have been encouraged to go for gold
Attending the meeting were:
Andy Coote (chairman)- Falmouth Business Club
Candy Atherton - Cornwall Council
Chris Smith - Falmouth and Penryn Community Plan
David Yelland - Falmouth School
Dick Stiles - Civic Society
Jackie George - Falmouth Watersports Association
Jilly Easterby - Falmouth Exeter Plus
Jonathan Griffin - National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Mark Williams - Falmouth Town Council
Mike Jenks - Civic Society
Neil Tinson - Churches Together
Sally Stiles - Age Concern

Thursday 12 September 2013

Meeting - September 2013

The purpose and plans for the Forum
Andy Coote introduced his first meeting as chairman with a discussion about the role and responsibilities of the Forum focusing on the summary that had been previous circulated. This was then updated.

In discussion, people highlighted a variety of issues and opportunities such as:

  • A recent report which had suggested that Falmouth was the 11th most deprived seaside town in the country. This was disputed, especially given the changes over the last five years, but it was recognised that the town still had much work to do in some residential areas
  • The importance of being a group which not only discussed ideas but did something about the conclusions, fitting in with the work of other bodies such as the Town Council and the BID
  • The use of working groups to tackle particular issues. The Town Council had formerly asked the Forum to look at specific strategic issues but this seemed to have waned
  • Whether the Forum should include a representative of the police, at a strategic level 

The summary was re-drafted along the following lines:
'The Town Forum is a non-political, non-aligned, open, results-orientated forum which exists to assist the successful vitality, viability and sustainable growth of Falmouth. It brings together representatives of groups and organisations in the town – from the commercial, charitable and statutory sectors – to talk about strategic and current issues, share knowledge, and to explore and deliver projects to the benefit of the future of the town. Being non-aligned, it has the freedom to explore ideas in ways which other organisations cannot.' This was open to more considered re-drafting.

It is also a bridging body - a sounding board - and a channel of communication.

Administrative matters
There was still a need for a Vice-Chair to support the Chairman in the many representative calls on his time. Volunteers were sought (but no one came forward).

The Constitution of the Forum would be updated in the light of the discussions.

Tall Ships 2014
This event is predicted to bring in 9,000 participants and over 100,000 visitors to the town.

The Tall Ships event is going to need about 150 volunteers. Anyone who wishes to apply should register with Volunteer Cornwall. There will also be an opportunity for young people to sail on board the Tall Ships. This is a contractual requirement on the Organising Committee and needs our support. See here for details.

There may also be a need for pastoral support in liaison with the Mission to Seamen. Neil Tinson is pursuing this with the Tall Ships Committee.

Radio signals in the centre of town 
The poor quality of reception in the town means that many people cannot receive digital radio. Chris Smith will bring together interested parties including Brod Ross, Matthew Rogers (SourceFM) and others with the intention of whatever taking action we can and producing a letter from the Forum to the relevant authorities.

BID Renewal 
The Business Improvement District is up for renewal in November and is finalising details of its manifesto. Some 471 businesses are involved and more than 50% have responded to the recent survey seeking new ideas. Richard Wilcox would share the draft with the Forum to seek its input. He was hopeful of success especially given the support for the surveys.

A recent report - the Grimsey report - highlighted a range of things that town centres should be doing to make themselves attractive. [Late entry: a further report by the Centre for Cities is also available here]. The BID had been pursuing many of these ideas itself, which was encouraging. The Forum offered Richard whatever help he needed in developing these ideas further.

A big issue remained the need to separate in constituents' minds the difference between the remits and work of the BID, the Town Council and the County Council, especially in the light of the cuts (see next item) and change sin responsibility through localism.

Cornwall Council cuts
A 'tsunami of cuts' is on its way and it is likely that Cornwall Council will end up operating at a level which one councillor had described as being 'at the margin of acceptability' and 'at the margin of statutory requirements'. These cuts have largely been imposed by central government. Falmouth Town Council is trying to take up the slack by managing things such as toilets and roundabouts but even their room for manoeuvre is restricted by the political acceptability of putting up the precept. There was also a real danger that government might limit the level of increase in the precept as it had done for Cornwall Council.

An event is due to take place at Mabe Town Hall on 3 October when the budget will be discussed in more detail.

Dredging
The trial dredge to check the dead maerl habitat has taken place but unexpected delays means that full report is unlikely to be complete until January. If this proves helpful then it is hoped that the MMO will issue a licence. That licence may contain a number of requirements which will need to be negotiated.

Special Protection Area
A new issue was emerging: the possible designation of a large area of the coast as a Special Protection Area because of its importance to four species of migratory birds. There was a real need for a full management specification before the consultation process starts so that one could understand the implications of protection. This had not happened in the past and designations had been enforced in ways that had never originally been interpreted.

Access to Finance event
The Federation of Small Businesses is running an Access to Finance event on 17 October at the Greenbank Hotel from 19:00. Tickets available here.

Dates for future meetings
The next meeting would be held on 13 November in the NMMC Haddon Board Room at the new time of 18:00. The provisional dates for 2014 are on the separate page.

Those attending
Andy Coote - Falmouth Business Club (Chairman)
Caroline Robinson - Federation of Small Businesses
Chris Smith - Community Plan
Cllr Candy Atherton - Cornwall Council
David Yelland - Falmouth School
Jonathan Griffin - National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Mark Williams - Falmouth Town Council
Mike Jenks - Civic Society
Mike Reynolds - A&P Docks
Neil Tinson - Churches Together
Richard Wilcox - Falmouth BID
Shaun Davie - FDHA


Thursday 9 May 2013

Meeting - May 2013

Roland Tiplady
Roland is chairman of international surveyors Ward Williams and a new and local member of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). It is early days but what attracted him about the job (5 hours a month) is the emphasis on allowing business people to take decisions about business, avoiding the over-protective hand of the public sector. Cornwall is fortunate as Cornwall Council supports the LEP. The LEP is not just the RDA in disguise.

Two major projects face the LEP. There will be a new round or EU European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) money for 2014 to 2020 with a strategy needed in September this year. Secondly, Michael Heseltine's proposals will be implemented. These will require the LEP to bid for money from government departments who will inevitably want to control what it is spent on. CC will write the cheques, supported by Cornwall Development Company which is funded by CC and European money to work on LEP activity.

Roland is involved on the 'Business is growing' sub group. Cornish businesses are generally very small and want to expand but often do not believe that it is possible or don't know how to do it. To be successful in Cornwall you actually have to be better than people in London - that is the nature of the 'small village' environment of Cornwall. We must stop thinking that people across the Tamar automatically know better. To survive in Cornwall often means you are fitter than those across the river.

Roland also has responsibility for CDC and their inward and outward investment agency. CDC is attracting investment into Cornwall. He believes it is necessary to have a London office for Cornwall to establish a presence and attract investment.

He remains mystified why there is no European support for tourism. European policies cannot possibly know what is best for Cornwall. If people have an idea then they should put it up. The LEP wants partners and is not hidebound by rules about supporting individual companies. Also, if companies are put-off by form filling and procedures then CDC has people who are paid to help with such things.

The chairman welcomed him to the Forum and thanked him for his contribution.

County and Town elections
The local elections had created something of a new landscape for the town with some new faces. Cornwall Council, meanwhile, was still sorting out its leadership.

It was unclear who would be nominated to attend the Forum from the two Councils but it was hoped that they would be regeneration-focused individuals and a co-operative and constructive atmosphere.

Cornwall Local Plan
Both the Forum and the Civic Society had submitted responses to the consultation. The status of the Plan was unclear. It was assumed that the new County administration would be submitting it for approval by Westminster but there was pessimism about its likely reception. There appeared to be a determination in Westminster on insisting on greater levels of development than were suggested in the Plan. Growth had been a key issue in the recent elections.  

Falmouth First CIC
This was now up and running and had held its first event: Pier Break. This had been organised by a group of University students, supported by the Town & BID Managers, and had provided an 'easy going' surf style event in aid of charity. It was extremely well run, sensitive to the pier environment - e.g. noise & alcohol control - and for its size, hugely successful. It had also provided a platform for a deeper, long term relationship between the CIC and the University(s). Other activities are in the pipeline for later in the month for the Fal River festival and later in the year. Planning is even under way for Tall Ships 2014.

Sam Groom and Paul Wickes have joined the board. The CIC is still seeking talented volunteers, willing and able to help manage events.

Forum Constitution
Work on this was delayed pending the development of the two Councils.

Dredging 
We understand that the results of the trial dredge will be made available around September. A decision may take longer.

Forum bank account
A small sum was still available in the Forum's account. In order to close this, a worthy cause was needed. Although a number of short-term projects could usefully benefit, there was a feeling that it should go to something sustained and it was agreed to pass the ca £500 across to the BID for spending on the public realm improvements.

The Chair would write a letter to Pub Watch encouraging them to contribute funding to help manage the impact of the night time economy.

Sainsburys
It appeared unlikely that the Sainsbury development would break ground in 2013. Everyone is blaming everyone else for the delay.

Shorts
  • Cornwall Marine Network has secured money to help the police establish a marine crime unit
  • The Park Live event in Kimberley Park, driven by Source FM with support from a variety of people and organisations - including the Town Council, Falmouth University and Townsends - had been hugely successful. The Town Council is trying to get the stage made permanent
  • The Falmouth Week Carnival would mark the Marine Band's 25th birthday and there was an ambition to achieve 1,000 marchers on the evening. All were encouraged to participate
  • The new BIDs signing around the town was being installed 
Annual General Meeting
The AGM followed. Nominations had been received for Andy Coote to take over the chair of the Forum. The out-going chair was thanked for his contribution.

The humble scribe was told he should carry on tapping away to prevent him being otherwise disruptive.

Those attending
Cornwall Marine Network - Paul Wickes
Falmouth Business Club - Andy Coote
Falmouth Exeter Plus - Jilly Easterby
Falmouth Town Council - Mark Williams
Federation of Small Business - Caroline Robertson
Local Enterprise Partnership - Roland Tiplady
National Maritime Museum Cornwall - Jonathan Griffin
RCPS - Mike Jenks
RIBA - Chris Smith (chair)

Thursday 14 March 2013

Meeting - March 2013

The work of the Police Cadets
PCSO Eleanor Grey joined the meeting, accompanied by two well-turned out police cadets to describe the work of the cadets.There are now some 20 cadets in Falmouth/Penryn aged from 13 to 18, all of whom give up two hours a week. They are introduced to the work of the police, provide services at events, run projects and act as roll models for other teenagers. Unlike some groups, this unit concentrates on being out in the community rather than just training in a building. Examples of recent work included:
  • Parades through the towns
  • Staffing water points for runs through town
  • Doing leaflet drops - which have the benefit of getting them out and about
They are now developing plans for a go-cart project aiming to engage other youngsters and families, some of whom may have behavoural issues. They are also working with the police restorative justice team and probation people.

Forum Constitution
The Constitution is a bit long in the tooth and a working party has been established to revise it. This led to a discussion about the activities of the Forum and the sort of thing it be doing: whether it should be running projects or whether it was primarily as an opportunity for interested passionate people to get around the table to share ideas to discuss issues of the day. Information flow was seen as key. There was an opportunity to lobby on some things, to act as a catalyst to new developments and to provide considered apolitical thought on a range of issues facing the town. It also needed to be able to work more productively with the Town Council.

In summary, it was agreed that the Forum can provide a 'sensible' voice in the town and should aim to become a quasi statutory consultee on things in the town.

The Falmouth First Community Interest Company (CIC)
The CIC has been formed and has been awarded the licence to run events (only) on the Prince of Wales pier from 1 March. Two events are already in discussion.

There is an exciting opportunity for new directors, members of the steering group, and Friends of the Pier. The closing date for application as a director is 5 April with interviews on 15 April.

The CIC's initial focus is the events on the pier. If other opportunities emerge they will be looked at on a case by case basis. The aim is not to seek to run the town but to act as a conduit for the provision of services in the town, drawing down additional funds to the benefit of the community.

Section 106 money
The Sainsbury agreement has not yet been finalised but is expected to be shortly. Once completed, the exact wording, which will be specific, will be made public. The agreement will ask a specific group to manage the emerging projects.

In the longer term, there was a need for all to understand the new Community Interest Levy (CIL) which would be replacing Section 106 Agreements.

Local Plan
In their discussion of the Local Plan, Cornwall Council had agreed a figure of 42,500 new houses. A figure of 68,500 had previously been suggested and Westminster may now feel that Cornwall is not being ambitious enough, if so then this could open the door to something of a developer free-for-all. Responses on the consultation are required by 22 April and Chris Smith would be coordinating these.

LTP3 and cycling
The Forum had contributed ideas against a tight deadline but everything had gone quiet.

Local Development Orders
These were on hold until the Local Plan is agreed.

Shorts:
  • It was agreed that some really good fresh candidates were needed for the forthcoming elections, especially as Cornwall Council, in particular, was facing some very real cuts in expenditure following the recent vote. 
  • Superfast Broadband - there was no further news on implementation in Falmouth although there were hopeful signs from the number of vans around
  • Docks - the results of the dredging trial would be available in a month or so
  • Tourism - Cornwall Council had reduced its budget for tourism following the budget discussion
  • Roland Tiplady would be invited to join the Forum as LEP representative. He had a portfolio including  inward investment
  • Mike Varney confirmed that this was his last Forum meeting as a Cornwall Councillor. He was thanked for his contribution over the years
Signage
The Forum had made a contribution of £3k to the BID signage project out of monies that had been collected for signage. This left around £550 in the account which could be given to a suitable cause and the account closed. Suggestions for how the money should be spent included the taxi marshalls, cleaning up of town, the Street Pastors. A decision would be taken at the next meeting.

Those attending
WPC Ellie Grey and two cadets
Age Concern - Sally Stiles
Cornwall Council – Mike Varney
Cornwall Council - Charlotte Chadwick
Cornwall Marine Network - Paul Wickes
Churches Together – Neil Tinson
Falmouth and Penryn Community Plan – Christopher Smith (chair)
Falmouth Energy Partnership - Nigel Murray
Falmouth First CIC - David Pollard
Falmouth School - David Yelland
Falmouth Town Council - Oliver Cramp
Falmouth Watersports – Jackie George
National Maritime Museum Cornwall - Jonathan Griffin

Forum Annual Review


The Forum submitted the following to the Falmouth Town Council's Parish Meeting on Monday 11 March.

Background
The Town Forum exists to assist the successful regeneration and revitalisation of Falmouth. It brings together representatives of a variety of groups and organisations in the town – from the commercial, charitable and statutory sectors – to debate current issues, share knowledge and explore options. Being non-aligned, it has the freedom to explore ideas in ways which other organisations cannot.

Organisations involved include Cornwall and Falmouth Town Councils, the Falmouth Town Clerk, the Town Manager, the Falmouth BIDS Manager, Cornwall Council officers, the Chamber of Commerce, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, the Cornwall Marine Network, the Marine School, University College Falmouth, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, the Civic Society, The Poly, Age Concern, Rotary, Falmouth and District Hoteliers Association, A & P, Fal River Links, Falmouth Ambassadors, the Watersports Centre, Churches Together, the RIBA, Transition Falmouth, a representative for local schools, co-opted members for specialist input.

Organisation
The Forum meets bi-monthly, or more frequently when required, and its meetings are open to members of the public. It receives and researches information concerning up and coming policies which may affect Falmouth

Matters covered in the the last 12 months
Over the last year, the Forum has received presentations from various invited guests and made contributions on the following subjects:

Strategies
  • Connecting Cornwall 2011-2015 (for which it wrote a response on behalf of, and at the request of, the Town Council) 
  • The Falmouth and Penryn Community Plan (the production of which was led by the Forum)
  • The Docks Masterplan (The Forum is monitoring the Trial Dredge with interest)
  • The Penryn River Study (The Forum is represented on the Project Team and members took an active role in an away day workshop)
  • The Local Enterprise Partnership (The Forum received a presentation from Board member Simon Tregonning)
  • The Cornwall Development Company. (Suzanne Bond, Chief Exec, gave a presentation to the Forum on the work of the CDC)
  • Cycling – the Forum collaborated with FTC on a response to the CC LPT3 proposals, setting up a sub group to contribute ideas and report on the matter
  • Cornwall Marine Strategy. (Forum received regular updates on this subject)
  • Finding Sanctuary (The Forum noted with concern the potential adverse impact on Falmouth which might arise from a MRZ located opposite the harbour entrance)
  • The Local Development Framework (The Forum is following developments closely and is a consultee to the Draft Cornwall Local Plan which incorporates the work of the Falmouth Framework Committee)
  • Localism, Local Development Orders and the possibility of a Neighbourhood Plan
  • CC Asset devolution. (Forum followed with interest proposals by CC to shed assets)
  • Traffic issues such as the future of Church Street car park, pedestrian priority in town, parking and the waterside walkway
  • The Forum noted with interest FTC proposals for Church Street Car park and received updates from CC on the results of contamination studies and other controlling factors there)
Town and BID Manager issues
  • Falmouth First CIC (The Forum noted the formation of a Community Interest Company which won a tender to stage events on Prince of Wales Pier)
  • The new Sainsburys superstore. (The Forum received updates as to progress and the situation with regard to Sec 106 contributions from that source)
  • The Falmouth Business Improvement District (The BIDS manager gives regular updates to the Forum on the work of his organisation)
  • The Mary Portas Review. (The Forum noted with pleasure the incorporation of the FTM and the BIDS Manager’s input into this document and also the success of Falmouth in becoming runner up in the Urbanism Awards for a “Great Town” in UK and Ireland. Losing out to Ireland, this made Falmouth the “Greatest Town” in Great Britain. The submission was assisted by Forum members)
  • Events (The Forum receives regular updates from the Town Centre Manager and noted with approval this year’s programme which included the Finn Cup, the J Class Races, the Pendennis Cup, the arrival of the Olympic Torch, The shanty Festival, the Oyster Festival, SPLASH and Falmouth Week)
Reports
The Forum received (regular) reports from/on:
  • The development of the Visitor Information Centre
  • The work of Fal Energy Vision 
  • The work of the Fal Energy Partnership 
  • The roll-out of Superfast Broadband (The Forum received a presentation from BT on the subject)
  • The visitor economy 
  • Tremough Innovation Centre
  • Citizenship for Life CC Mentoring scheme (The Forum received a presentation on this successful social project and noted involvement by some of its own members)
  • Crime issues
  • Litter and rubbish collection
  • Maritime Line 150th Birthday celebrations (The Forum noted plans with delight)
  • Falmouth University (The Forum received updates on name change and future plans) 
Communication
The Forum maintains its own website which reports the notes of its meetings and lists its membership. A link to this is sent to the Falmouth Town Council to ensure an open flow of information.

During the year, the Forum did a presentation to the Falmouth Town Council, inviting an open dialogue on the future of the town.

Thursday 24 January 2013

Cornwall Development Company


What is the Cornwall Development Company?
Cornwall Development Company (CDC) is the arms length economic development company of Cornwall Council (CC).  It was set up in 2009 with a Board of Directors, led by the private sector, specifically to be business facing and to be both proactive with and responsive to the needs of the business community (see Appendix 1).

Cornwall Council’s Economy White Paper and the Economic Growth Strategy for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, prepared by the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), together set the strategic context under which CDC operates and both CC and the LEP commission activity from the Company.

Mission Statement
Cornwall Development Company is the arms-length economic development arm of Cornwall Council.
On behalf of a range of stakeholders, we deliver a bespoke, business facing service and deliver the economic vision and strategy for Cornwall.

We achieve this through the expertise and professional commitment of our staff who, together, have a wide range of economic development know-how.  We bring together the right team, with the right skills, on the right project at the right time, turning this knowledge into added value for the economy of Cornwall.
Our most precious resource is our people and we aim to maintain an environment where they, and their knowledge, skills and expertise, are nurtured and they are able to be the best that they can be.

We deliver value for money for our shareholder and other stakeholders, a responsive service to business and, ultimately, jobs and prosperity and a low carbon future for Cornwall.

What does CDC do?
Business transformation
  • Inward investment from the UK, European and International markets through InvestinCornwall
  • Business development & growth
    • Management of investment funds to support productivity, job creation and growth – European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Regional Growth Fund (RGF), Growing Places Fund (GPF) through Business Boost.
    • Assisting rural business to access Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) funding
  • Employment & Skills – working with strategic sectors, companies and projects to help articulate demand for skills and, in turn, stimulating demand led vocational FE & HE provision
  • Promoting Cornwall as a year-round visitor destination to support and develop the visit economy through Visit Cornwall
  • Specialist project development and managements services for priority and transformational projects
Cornwall connectivity
  • Managing the programme to deliver Superfast Broadband to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly through Superfast Cornwall.
  • Promoting and developing business investment in:
    • Aerohub @ Newquay Cornwall Airport (Enterprise Zone)
    • Port of Falmouth
Place shaping
  • Facilitating private sector investment for growth in key towns through Convergence Priority 4
  • Regeneration and development projects across Cornwall, including driving forward major projects and supporting the rural economy
Low carbon economy
  • Promoting resource efficiency within businesses and using low carbon as a driver of economic development, through projects such as Clear About Carbon, Green Deal and Smart Grid

Facts & Figures
  • The 134 staff working for CDC are brigaded under four directorates (see Appendix 2).
  • Approximately 65% of staff are funded through projects and 35% through the CC contract.  
  • The Company’s income is approximately 28% funded by Cornwall Council, although funding for 2012-13 varies across a number of sources (see Appendix 3).  
  • CDC levers an additional 12.5m of income funding from the £3.6m CC investment.  
The delivery programme and many delivery objectives stretch beyond March 2013, with an anticipated target delivery budget of c£290m (gross value) over the next 2-3 years (see Appendix 4).

CDC has an annual Business Plan that is set within a three year funding context. The current approved programme of activity begins to reduce in year three.  Historically the trailing off of specific funds has been replaced by income from new contracts won or activity secured. There will be possibilities to bid for funds from the new EU programme but the reducing funding profile has been identified as a risk.

How is CDC held to account?
As a limited company and a publicly funded body, the Company is currently accountable to the Board of Directors and CC as shareholder, to the business community and ultimately to all the residents of Cornwall.  The governance of CDC is formally set out in the Memorandum and Articles agreed with the Council at the inception of the Company.

While CDC is accountable to the Council for its strategic direction and overall performance at project level the Company is accountable to a range of funders for the contracts it delivers.  The Company is presently subject to scrutiny by:
  • Department of Business, Innovation and skills (BIS) 
  • Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) 
  • Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 
  • Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and European Social Fund (ESF) 
  • Cornwall Council
  • Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership

Saturday 12 January 2013

Meeting - January 2013

Cornwall Development Company (CDC)
Suzanne Bond, Chief Executive of CDC joined the meeting to talk about the work of the organisation.

CDC is funded roughly 25% by Cornwall Council, 25% by Job Line and 50% by leveraged funds. There is a ca£300m delivery programme over 3 years consisting of money from the EU, CC and the private sector. The organisation is divided into four units: Corporate, Tourism – Visit Cornwall, Business and Skills (£43m), Development (£13m). There are about 130-140 staff most of whom are on short-term contracts which is not helpful for continuity or for career and organisational development. Rules on expenditure also mean that cross-discipline working is severely constrained which is not necessarily to the benefit of the projects.

Some 20% of the SIF (Convergence) money has been spent in Falmouth which has demonstrated a degree of get-up and go about the town.

The relationship between CC, CDC and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is still evolving especially at the border between the development of strategy and delivery.

The next round of EU funding will probably start at the end of 2014/early 2015. This is likely to be a ‘national programme’ rather than a Cornwall-specific one. CC was leading on this and it would be important to maintain continuity with the change of CEO.

Superfast Broadband
Suzanne introduced Dr Ranulf Scarborough, BT’s Director of the Superfast Broadband Programme.
The implementation of Superfast Broadband had started in 2010 and would take until October 2014 to complete. It was expected that about 80/90% of Cornwall would be covered which was a triumph given the challenging geography of the county. BT had been learning a lot and innovating. For instance, they had tested the first overhead fibre lines.

Fibre to the cabinet (FtC) is now routinely delivering 80Mps and Fibre to the Premises (FttP) up to 330 Mps. It is reassuring to see that about 60 service providers are now competing for business on the back of the network. About 50% of all premises are now covered by SFB and this would rise to 70-80% by the end of March.

Falmouth, with 55 cabinets, is one of the best connected towns in the county with 75% complete and about 10,000 lines. Half of this is FtC and half FttP. There are about 1500 exchange-only lines and BT is still working out how to handle these effectively. Nonetheless, take-up in Falmouth has been below expectations. (A straw poll suggested that about half the Forum had access to SFB at home and almost no one at the meeting had access at work).

In discussion, the slowness of installation of SFB for businesses was mentioned. If the intention behind the investment was to give Cornwall a competitive advantage then business should have come first.

Town Framework
CC is still discussing the growth figures which will go into the Local Plan. Until this is resolved, the Town Framework will mark time as an official document although it has recently been used as evidence in a recent planning enquiry.

Dredging
The dredging trial is now complete. The test of the re-laid areas would take place in March and the formal results are expected in May/June.

Future Falmouth CIC
Future Falmouth CIC has been created and has been informally awarded the contract for running events on the Prince of Wales pier. The final details of the Licence are under discussion. Directors for the CIC are required and an announcement will be made soon. Anyone interested should contact David Pollard as soon as possible.

Sainsbury’s planning application
Despite leaks of the draft agreement, the negotiations with Sainsbury’s over their planning application are going well and it is hoped that a significant sum of Section 106 money will be available to help offset the predicted 12% impact that the superstore will have on the economy of the main streets. Some of the money will be shared with Penryn.

A Liaison Group is being convened to help decide on the detailed expenditure given that the Agreement itself sets out certain parameters which must be followed.

Energy Partnership
The Falmouth Energy Partnership felt that a proportion of the S106 money should go on renewable energy sourced locally as part of a project to make Falmouth carbon neutral. They are looking at a solar bulk-buy project and exploring a biodiesel unit at Tremough.

4-10 March is Climate Week and all are encouraged to become involved in projects marking this. www.falenergy.org.uk

A Car Club is being developed for Truro and Falmouth. This will be the equivalent of a local hire car scheme. This will be launched in April.

Shorts
  • Falmouth Town Council is looking at a Beach management Plan and would like input from residents as to what should go into this. Contact Mark Williams.
  • Caroline Robertson is the new chair of the Federation of Small Business and invited suggestions for issues, involvement and lobbying
  • Charlotte Chadwick thanked those involved in the Citizens for Life programme and invited people to sign up as mentors for the next round
  • John Pearce described the Rotary project to bring fresh water to people in Masaka, Uganda. They need $5,000 to help 7,000 people. Money raised will be multiplied by 3.5 by Rotary International
Those attending
Cornwall Development Company - Suzanne Bond
BT Superfast Brodaband - Dr Ranulph Scarbrough
John Pearce - Rotary Club of Falmouth

A&P Docks - Mike Reynolds
Breakfast Club – Andy Coote
Civic Society - Dick Stiles
Cornwall Council – Mike Varney
Cornwall Council - Steve Eva
Cornwall Council - Charlotte Chadwick
Cornwall Marine Network - Paul Wickes
Chamber of Commerce – Jeremy Edwards
Churches Together – Neil Tinson
Fal River Links - Tim Light
Falmouth and Penryn Community Plan – Christopher Smith (chair)
Falmuth BID - Richard Wilcox
Falmouth Energy Partnership - Nigel Murray
Falmouth Exeter Plus - Jilly Easterby
Falmouth School - David Yelland
Falmouth Town Council - Mark Williams
Falmouth Town Manager – Richard Gates
Falmouth Watersports – Jackie George
Federation of Small Businesses - Caroline Robinson
National Maritime Museum Cornwall - Jonathan Griffin
Public - Keven Ayres
RCPS - Mike Jenks