NLP Board Minutes: 27 October 2004 (1)

Cllr McCabe welcomed all to the meeting, in particular Tony Watters representing Strathclyde Fire Service and Alison Hippman, Jobcentre Plus.

In noting apologies, the Chair informed the Board that Crawford Kirkwood had recently suffered a heart attack but was now recuperating. A card has been sent from NLP wishing him a speedy recovery.

Agreed with the addition of Roger Popplewell's name to the sederunt.

Proposed Regeneration Unit – Two posts, for Community Safety Manager and Research and Information Officer, have been advertised within the Partnership. G Whitefield confirmed that the funding for these posts had already been approved. The Regeneration Unit will be established on 1^st November 2004.

Regeneration Outcome Agreement – Proposals were currently being developed by the relevant Programme Planning Groups for each theme. A short paper outlining the process would be distributed for information.

Partnership Structures – the proposed arrangements surrounding property, finance and personnel issues had yet to be progressed.

SPTE engagement with NLP – SPTE will attend the next NLP Officers Group to discuss the way forward.

L Connolly gave a presentation (copy attached) on the key issues related to this theme.

She referred to the current exercise to review the Changing Gear economic strategy which the discussion formed part of. This would seek to determine progress and to provide an opportunity to adjust the partnership's priorities in the light of this.

Liz reminded members of the main contextual issues and the structures in place to implement the strategy under the Lanarkshire Economic Forum. She noted current performance in North Lanarkshire compared to Scotland across the agreed indicators that showed some improvement in North Lanarkshire's position although much remained to be done. She referred to the Lanarkshire Image Project as an example of the partnership activity underway to respond the strategy's priorities.

In concluding, Liz informed members of the process and timing of the strategy's review, and sought views on whether the Board still felt that the priorities and actions were relevant and what other environmental changes might need a response.

Before inviting comment, the Chair noted that the image of Lanarkshire is often outdated. The days of industrial restructuring are long gone. There are new issues prompted in part by our own success such as outmoded roads and transport infrastructure which can no longer cope with the pressure of economic activity. He felt that our Tourism sector had major growth potential and more could be done to promote our area.

D Pigott suggested that it was too early in the implementation of Changing Gear to look at adjusting our priorities. Appropriate branding can have a positive effect on how people feel about the area.

L Connolly agreed commenting that the press carried few positive stories. It should be noted that the Dundee: City of Discovery campaign has been running for 20 years, and that we would have to be prepared for a long term approach.

G Whitefield agreed that priorities remained correct. New problems had arisen for example filling an increasing numbers of vacancies and linking unemployed people with labour shortages.

Cllr Smith asked if lack of qualifications was a major constraint to moving people from benefits to work. Liz noted that those now being supported were from the more difficult to reach where coming off benefits was a more difficult proposition.

M Castles asked about the current difficulties with public transport, and which subgroup of the LEF had responsibility for addressing this. The Attractive Place group was looking at this but it was not within the remit of any one group. She suggested a short-term task group could be formed to look at this.

The Board noted the current position and looked forward to the outcome of the Changing Gear review.

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