Agenda item

Sir Richard welcomed Jim O’Neill, Chair of the RSA City Growth Commission. He explained that the Board needs independent evidence to back up its work and the RSA Commission would provide this.

Jim O’Neill handed over to Charlotte Aldritt, Secretary of the Commission for a brief presentation before he took questions.

Charlotte began by explaining that the City Growth Commission is examining how UK city-regions (or ‘metros’) can be given greater freedoms to thrive – reforming public services and creating inclusive economic growth. 

The Commission is chaired by Goldman Sachs Asset Management Chairman, Jim O’Neill, and includes 11 experts with experience in finance, government, public/private sector and academia.  The Commission is a 12 month independent inquiry that will use the weight of its expertise, political engagement and research findings to challenge the status quoand push the debate. The Commission will inform the manifesto writing process and influence the policy debate in the build-up the General Election.

Since launching, the Commission has:

•       Run a call for evidence, hearing from over 50 organisations and individuals;

•       Conducted two out of three formal evidence hearing sessions in Manchester and Bristol;

•       Launched their first report, ‘Metro Growth; the UK’s Economic Opportunity’;

•       Embarked on a research programme covering skills, infrastructure and fiscal devolution; and,

•       Hosted a series of seminars with leading policy experts and practitioners.

The Commission still intends to do the following:

•       Publication of research outputs in June (skills), July (infrastructure) and September (fiscal devolution);

•       Private roundtable events during the Autumn party conferences;

•       Continued media activity and stakeholder engagement;

•       Final report due in October 2014.

Charlotte finished by showing the Board a short video from one of the Commission’s evidence sessions in Manchester.

Members raised the following points and questions:

·         What work the Commission has done to identify work that has already been done in this area and not to replicate it.

·         The need to champion the principle of devolution even if it does not lead to growth.

·         The rationale behind selecting the RSA Commission to do this work for the Board.

·         How the Commission will include the work of smaller cities, not just Core Cities.

·         What added value the Board’s contribution would enable the Commission to achieve.

Sir Richard thanked Jim and Charlotte for attending and addressing the Board.