Welsh Industrial Liaison Officers (WILO) MeetingVirginia Chambers

10th June 2010

Updates

Welsh Assembly Government / UK GovernmentReviewsEconomic Renewal ProgrammeA4BBusiness InnovationEnterprise Europe Network

Welsh Assembly Government

New First MinisterDeputy Minister for Science, Innovation & Skills (DM SIS)- Lesley Griffiths- deputy to Ieuan Wyn Jones

New Chief Science Advisor- Professor John Harries- advise Ministers- Links to Whitehall

ca 180m budget cuts for Wales announced by UK Government

Some Key Ministers in Dept for Business Innovation & Skills

Vince Cable Secretary of State (BIS)

David Willetts Universities & Science

John Hayes FE, Skills & Lifelong Learning

Mark Prisk Business & Enterprise

Reviews underway

Ministerial Advisory Group- R&D & Commercialisation- due to publish July 2010

Deputy Minister Science Innovation & Skills- External Funding of R&D

Cabinet debate on R&D and Commercialisation

Economic Renewal Programme (ERP)

Commissioned by Deputy First Minister

Driven by downturn and post recession economy

Widespread consultation on business support and economic development

Consultation ended 11th May

Report due 28th June

*Early indications...

Programme is still in analysis phase.Issues raised in particular around: planning; procurement; and regulation.Investment needed in: 21st Century infrastructure; skills.Alignment of wider policies seen as a higher priority than direct business support and a prerequisite for economic development. Access to finance still an issue mixed response on role of grants.Role of government needs to be properly considered.

A4B

7 projects totalling 2.6m approved (subject to contract) at last panel

A4B has now supported 204 projects total grant 25m

Challenge is to deliver against these projects

A4BObservations from A4B Managers

WAG budgets cannot be carried over

Need better profiling of budgets taking into accountStaff recruitmentProcurement

Outputs need to be recorded on IPM especially investment induced

CPD currently only for Convergence Area because of budget pressures

A4B Reminder

2 New Calls for proposals

Large Application Development Projects (L-ADP)- pilot to replace Proof of Concept- for projects with potential to generate significant income- projects up to 150k over 18 months- can support up to 6 projects- closing date 19th July- contact Terry Stubbs

A4B Reminder

2. Thematic Knowledge Exchange Projects- Assisted Living- Low Carbon Economy- Lead institutions in Convergence area (partners in other areas can be included)- up to 9 projects can be supported- closing date 18th June- contact Gareth Wilson

A4B Portal

Expertise WalesFirst stage development completedPromote portal to staff / data inputNeed institutions agreement to include data on centres of expertise (only 2 responses to date)Expect to launch July 2010Support available from WAG** See information sheet

KTP

Expression of Interest form for classic KTP replaces outline proposal forms

New template available through KTP portal

Slight increase in classic KTP need more good applications

sKTP now 36% UK total

Business Innovation

35m EU project

Design, IP and Manufacturing advisory services

Innovation Managers

Includes Innovation Vouchers- Up to 10k available to businesses- to buy expertise from academia or support bodies

Please promote to your clients

Enterprise Europe Network

Awareness Event planned (tbc)EcoInnovationEnvironment FP7TSB Low Impact Buildings

Managing FP7 projects training course (Autumn)

Travel and consultancy budget for FP7 and TSB still available

Consultation on FP8 (July-October)contact Lisa Wheatley

Dates for your Diary

18th JuneClosing date A4B KEPJune/JulyAwareness Day- EcoInnovation tbc- FP7 Environment- TSB Low Impact Buildings23rd JuneUKIPO event Cardiff City Stadium29th June UKIPO event St Asaph12th-16th JulyE-Crime Summit Celtic Manor19th JulyClosing date L-ADPJuly/OctoberConsultation on FP8 tbcAutumnManaging FP7 tbcprojects (EEN)

Thanks for your support over the years and best wishes for the future

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