Cornwall Retail Network

Task and Finish Group Minutes November 22nd 2007

Date

22^nd November 2007

Subject

Cornwall Retail Skills Task and Finish Group minutes

Location

LSC

Truro

Present

Pam Cole, Clare Harris, Mel Colton Dyer, Jamie, Richard McClenaghan, John Wilkie, Matt Powell, Simon Robinson, Jacky Lowcock, Berryl Baily, Mel Colton Dyer, Will Boex, Jo Lake

Apologies

David Chadwick, Charlotte Chadwick, Sarah Newham, David Clewlow, Richard McClenaghan, Phillipa Collett, Tony Reynolds, James Agnew, Stephen Horscroft, Peter Mason, Cathy Whitmore, Barbara Ellenbroek, Hannah Revell, Dawn Eastley, Guy Thomas, Debbie Osborne, Neil Scott   

AGENDA

* Welcome and introductions * David Lang * Terms of Reference * Presentation by Jo Lake * AOB * Conclusion

Context

Pam Cole

checked the minutes of the last meeting for accuracy, and continued to set the context for the group.  The terms of reference were finalized formally and are now recorded as such.

Pam reiterated that her role within the group would gradually decrease as the group develops and drives its own agenda.  She also explained that she would need to take a ‘back seat’ in terms of convergence due to open and competitive tendering, and it was agreed formally that the learning partnership would lead on the sectors convergence bid. 

Pam Cole

explained that the coordinator had been working with and visiting a number of people to help inform work in context with convergence funding.  This has been necessary in order to take into account the different opinions and needs of the sector.  A subgroup consisting of town centre managers and employers had been integral to this work.  Pam pointed out that skills and training are the main drivers for the group, and it is out of these objectives that other benefits will become clear.   

David Lang

It was with much sadness that Pam informed the group of the sudden death of David Lang, the Falmouth Town Centre Manager.  David was a strong supporter of the development of a retail sector, and a key member of the task and finish group.  He was well liked and respected within the local community and will be sorely missed by those who new and worked with him.  Two minutes silence was requested in his memory.  A donation to the British Heart Foundation was made at his funeral on behalf of the group, and The Learning Partnership.   

Presentation by Jo

Lake

The coordinator gave a PowerPoint presentation on ideas concerning a model to take forwards under convergence funding.  The presentation generated a great deal of discussion, and it was generally agreed that the model proposed was acceptable, if the skills advisor and the specific retail advisor could be combined. 

Pam Cole

pointed out that there needed to be links to mainstream provision through business link and NextStep where relevant. 

It was suggested that the Skillsmart secret shopper model be adapted to suit the area in which it was to be used.  A similar project run in

Plymouth

found that this was a more effective way of ascertaining relevant information.  This is something that can be discussed when funding agreements have been finalised.  It was also suggested that it would be interesting to see how online trading arrangements would fit into the secret shopper survey, and perhaps Skillsmart could be consulted on this.    

It was also suggested that a list of criteria should be drawn up to decide which three areas the model will be piloted in.  In terms of coordinating the project, it was generally agreed that pilot areas should have relevant links i.e. shoppers card scheme, town centre managers, LAA, organised traders meetings, cooperative schools etc so that the pilot has a good chance of success, and lots of other things to link into.  Bodmin was mentioned as favored location, along with Camborne/Redruth,

Falmouth

and

Truro

.  The town criteria will be discussed in the next meeting.   

In terms of a kitemark, Matt Powell suggested that there could be different levels of kitemark, as there are with accommodation providers, this would then encourage towns to continue with skills development, but would also help areas that are not yet ready for complete integration, or whose town centers are currently being regenerated could also be marked but with a less stringent criteria.   

Mel Colton Dyer suggested that there should be relevant links formed with the union for retail USDAW.

Action: Coordinator to contact local union reps through Geoff Hayle, and to work on a set of critera for the convergence model.

Conclusion

Pam concluded the meeting and thanked everyone for their input.  She highlighted that any work undertaken would need to link into other mainstream activities such as T2G, and perhaps the development of learning champions in geographical areas would be a good way to test employer and business engagement.  She pointed out that it was important for the sector to have a vision for the future, and have strategies in place that would help to continue the legacy of sector engagement after convergence. 

Actions

The coordinator to complete the framework for the sector bid through The Learning Partnership for convergence. – Jo

Lake

The coordinator to develop criteria to help critique areas that have been highlighted as areas to run the pilot program.   – Jo

Lake

The coordinator to contact USDAW, and enable engagement with the project. – Jo

Lake

Date of next meeting- Tuesday 11^th March 2008, 2pm - LSC Truro

Meeting chair

Pam Cole

Minute taker

Jo

Lake

Date created

15 October 2007

11th October 2007 Task Group meeting

Date

11th October 2007

Subject

Cornwall Retail Skills Task and Finish Group minutes

Location

LSC Truro

Present

Pam Cole, Charlotte Chadwick, David Lang, Clare Harris, Mel Colton Dyer, Sarah Newham, Barbara Ellenbroek, Hannah Revell, David Clewlow, Gill Moore, Dawn Eastley, Matt Powell, Barbara Ellenbrook, Simon Robinson, Stephen Horscroft, Peter Mason, Cathy Whitmore, James Agnew, Terry Uglow, Jacky Lowcock, Berryl Baily, Mel Colton Dyer, Tony Reynolds, Pam Cole, Jo Lake

Apologies

Sue Lovell, David Chadwick, John Wilkie, David Clewlow, Richard McClenaghan, Phillipa Collett

AGENDA

* Welcome and introductions * Context and work so far * Terms of Reference * Presentation by Jo Lake * Convergence * AOB * Conclusion and action task set

Meeting Notes

Context

Pam set the context for developing the Task and Finish Group and highlighted the fact that there is a need for greater consultation and voice from the sector themselves. A coordinator has been appointed and will now drive through the action plan as part of her work plan. It was recognised that the action plan would take much longer than the one year contract of the coordinator. However Jo will prioritise starting the work and work with partners to gain convergence funding in order to complete further work

It was formally agreed that Pam would chair the groups meetings until the spring, when the group will reconsider its functions and future.

Pam reminded the group of the skills remit that surrounded the action plan and terms of reference.

Terms of Reference

The terms of reference were read through and discussed with the group. There was an agreement that there needed to be a marked difference between national and local retail statistics, particularly the relationship between the vibrancy of town centres and footfall figures. In light of this the group felt that there was a need for a research budget.

It was suggested that there should be some description of the groups roles and responsibilities included in the terms.

A question was raised over the end date of the project, as the group is called the task and finish group. It was decided that the coordinators contract should be used as the time scale for the group. This could be extended with convergence funding.

Action: Terms to be revised and emailed for confirmation by the group.

Presentation by Jo Lake

The coordinator gave a PowerPoint presentation on ideas concerning the development of retail in Cornwall. A web log for retail was also launched and publicity for this was discussed.

The presentation sparked a debate about secret shopper initiatives and it was agreed that these should be utilised to maximum effect.

The idea of a retail kite mark also fuelled a discussion. Tony Reynolds, put forward the idea of towns signing up to the skills pledge, suggesting that this would be a kite mark to other towns, and could initiate employee pools, where employers would share a group of suitably skilled and qualified employees who could fill short term staff shortage gaps.

Several people voiced concerns over the government level 2 expectations, saying that this type of training is unsuitable to retail businesses. It was pointed out that a level 2 qualification is part of the driver for funding, and perhaps providers will be able to offer of innovate ways of providing such training for businesses.

Action: Jo to distribute copies of presentation.

Convergence

Pam led the discussions on convergence. Detailing that both the LSC and job centre plus would be writing the specifications for the bids, with the first part of the application process completed through PQQ's. There is 1 million pounds available for retail, but an employer led response is needed to inform any bid and the sector must demonstrate that employers have been engaged. The expectation would be that an employer led approach would then be delivered in partnership with providers, bringing everyone together to discuss who currently provides training in what format and in what geographical area, to ensure employers have access to training they require in a location convenient to them.

It was suggested that there may need to be a subgroup of the task and finish group, made up of people who have direct contact with businesses, to specifically deal with convergence.

AOB

Charlotte Chadwick from Penwith District Council informed the group about a Truro College and Penwith District Council initiative called Radical Retail. The project was inspired by the Fusion project which was funded by the RDA in areas such as Manchester. The Cornish project has successfully engaged with retailers in Penzance and Truro. The group put together a bid for the RDA, which was unsuccessful. Charlotte and Truro College will present their project to the Task and Finish Group at an extra meeting scheduled for the 5th of November, 2pm at Truro College, with the view of exploring the model and deciding if the model would be appropriate to use in a bid for convergence.

Conclusion

Pam concluded the meeting by setting a task for everyone in the room who has direct contact with retail. Anyone who has such contact was charged to question six businesses about their current business situations, staff, and skills needs. The Coordinator will supply the group with a generic questionnaire for this purpose, the responses would be discussed at the next meeting.

Actions

1. The Coordinator will provide a final copy of terms and reference to be agreed before the next meeting. Jo Lake

2. Every person in the room, who has direct contact with retail outlets, was charged to question six businesses about their current business situations, staff, and skills needs. The Coordinator will supply the group with a generic questionnaire for this purpose the responses will be discussed at the next meeting. Pam Cole, Charlotte Chadwick, David Lang, Clare Harris, Mel Colton Dyer, Sarah Newham, Barbara Ellenbroek, Hannah Revell, David Clewlow, Gill Moore, Dawn Eastley, Matt Powell, Barbara Ellenbrook, Simon Robinson, Stephen Horscroft, Peter Mason, Cathy Whitmore, James Agnew, Terry Uglow, Jacky Lowcock, Berryl Baily, Mel Colton Dyer, Tony Reynolds, Pam Cole, Jo Lake

2. The coordinator to supply the group with a copy of the presentation given. Jo Lake

Date of next meeting- 22nd November 2007 - LSC Truro

Meeting chair

Pam Cole

Minute taker

Jo Lake

Date created

15 October 2007