Economic Leaders Group:

Chris Hyde – Chair for the meeting
Councillor Napper, SCC
Lesley Williams, SCC
Councillor Forrest, Mendip Council
Emma McCombie, Connexions
Roger Dollins, FSB
Cllr Downes, West Somerset Council
Richard Storey, IoD, Eco/Env Link
Liz Oram, Business Link
Councillor Fraser, Sedgemoor Council
Andrew Southall, SWRDA
Corinne Matthews, West Somerset Council
Phil Sharratt, Taunton Deane Council
Councillor Smith, Taunton Deane Council
Doug Bamsey, Sedgemoor Council
Alan Madge, Jobcentre Plus
Paul Glossop, GOSW
Andrew Larpent, Somerset Care (chair Employment Skills Board)
Rupert Cox, Somerset Chamber of Commerce
Stephanie Berry, SCC
Samantha Seddon, SCC
Dominie Dunbrook, SCC (notes)

Environment Leaders Group:

Joe Burlington, Chairman South Somerset Climate Action
Mark Parratt
Simon Nash, Wildlife Trust
Nicola Slawski, Sedgemoor Council
Paula Hewitt, SCC
Gary Parsons, SCC
Paul Shimmin, SCC
Peter Saban, Youth Parliament
David Doynes
Alex Malcolm, Transitions Somerset


1. Action Plan for the Somerset Renewable Energy Business Sector

Stephanie Berry presented the findings (attached) and action plan of the recently completed Renewable Energy Sector research. Consultants TBR and PHS carried out the study using face-to-face interviews, telephone surveys and questionnaires to gather base information. The key highlights from the research:

Profile of the Sector
• £50m turnover from the businesses – representing a 43% growth rate in 3 years
• There are 88 ‘core’ businesses within the sub-sector
• The majority of businesses are associated with Biomass and Solar-thermal
• There are around 500 employees working in the sub sector – with over 50% of these in Biomass
Strengths and Competitive Advantages
• Somerset has a local customer base – with many households without mains gas connections
• Suitable climate for wind and solar technologies
• Suitable business premises exist to accommodate these businesses
Barriers to Growth
• Some technologies are not financially affordable or rewarding – there are very long ‘pay back’ times for the initial investment
• There is a lack of infrastructure in the supply chain
• Similar to many businesses in the creative industries, renewable energy businesses are run as ‘life style’ ventures

Action Plan
From the research findings an Action Plan for the sub sector has been developed. This was circulated at the meeting (attached for those not present). The actions have been arranged into 4 broad groups of activity:
• Stimulating the business base
• Business support
• Skills, education and training
• Communication
It was noted that this action plan is intended to be a ‘live document’ so actions will change over time as they become relevant. The action plan will need to be ‘managed’ by a group, and the next step will be to form a ‘steering group’ to take this forward. Members of the joint meeting were invited to nominate themselves if they were interested in being part of the steering group. Interest came from the following individuals (along with suggestions for other reps):

• District Councils – Taunton, Sedgemoor and West Somerset were interested – but recognised this was very relevant to all Districts, so could nominate 1/2 colleagues to act as a representative
• Joe Burlington
• NFU representative
• Business Link – possible Liz Oram
• FSB/CoC
• EDF
• Private Sector producers to be represented via business representatives

ACTION: Stephanie Berry will pull together the group using the nominated representatives above for a starting point.
2. Hinkley Point update

Doug Bamsey provided an update on Hinkley Point, and his presentation is attached. The Hinkley Point project is worth £5-6bn and will employee over 4,000 employees, in construction and then circa 1,000 in operation. 3 Local Authorities are working together on Hinkley – Sedgemoor, West Somerset and Somerset County, who have each approved a planning performance agreement (PPA). The PPA will provide some resourcing for activities such as research.

The Infrastructure Planning Commission will make the final decision on Hinkley and the ancillary services/provision needed to support such a major development. The ‘switch on’ date is set for 2017, so there is a lot of pressure on Local Authorities to get everything into place by this date.

The Somerset Nuclear Energy Group (SNEG) is managing the governance for the work. This includes each of the Local Authorities, SWRDA, Environment Agency and local ward Members.

There will be a number of key consultations during Autumn 2009 including:
• National Grid – areas of search for new power line north of Bridgwater
• EDF outline proposals for the full Hinkley development
• Draft Nuclear National Policy Statement from Government
• Sedgemoor Local Development Framework

3. Severn Tidal Power update

Richard Storey presented an update to the group on the Severn Tidal Power project (attached for further information). The department of Energy and Climate Change are leading a two year study looking at the feasibility of a tidal power scheme in the Severn estuary. A public consultation on phase one study findings closed in Spring 2009. Phase two study is currently underway, with a final report due by April 2010. There are a number of groups operating in the area and a chart of these is provided in the presentation slides. There are currently 5 options being considered by DECC – this includes 3 barrages and 2 tidal lagoons.

There are still a number of concerns and issues with proposals being looked at, and these are discussed at the South West Advisory Group meetings that Richard sits on. If ELG or EnvLG members wish to feed into these deliberations, Richard would welcome comments that he can take forward to the group.

If anyone wants more detailed information on the project please see the attached web pages: http://severntidalpowerconsultation.decc.gov.uk/


4. Any other Business

No further business – Date of the next Joint meeting will be April 2010.