Sir Michael Bichard (Chair), Bonnie Dean, Penny Egan, John Hollar, Geoff Kirk, Jonathan Kestenbaum, Janet Walker, Richard Williams. Observers: Chris Hewitt (DIUS, Jane Hartshorne (DIUS), David Kester (Design Council), David Godber (Design Council), Helen Jacobs (Design Council), Mike Turnbull (Design Council), Wendy Lanchin (Design Council), Kim Davids (Design Council), Andrea Siodmok (Design Council), Jennifer Daniel (Design Council), Lucy Robinson (Design Council), Byron Martinez (Design Council).
Peter Williams, Chris Wise, Jonathan Sands, Helen MacNamara, Jon Zeff, Ruth Hasnip.
01 Welcome, apologies and declaration of interests
The Chairman welcomed Council to the meeting, particularly the new Deputy Chief Executive David Godber and Chris Hewitt from DIUS. Michael thanked Bonnie for her assistance during Deputy Chief Executive recruitment process.
02 Minutes from the last meeting on 27 March
The minutes were approved. One matter arising under item 5, was regarding pay remit. The audit is still ongoing but DIUS are working to ensure this is concluded by the next payroll. The Chairman asked if there were any matters for concern raised in the audit. DIUS responded that no issued had arisen.
03 Chief Executive’s update
The Chief Executive provided a summary of highlights since the quarter one review was complied. These included:
- Business and public service innovation: the national marketing campaign for Designing Demand is underway. There will be an event aimed at intermediaries in September and a launch in London by Design London in June. £200k income has been secured for the public services programme from DIUS.
- Public and community engagement: a six-month development period is being funded to pull together the key themes, partners and funding streams. This is being led by Robert O’Dowd.
- Design skills development: good progress has already been made but there is more to be done on the fundraising side. Discussions are taking place with the DCMS with regard to implementation of the Creative Economy Programme. Sir Michael offered to talk to Margaret Hodge if and when this is helpful.
- Design policy and promotion: The Good Design Plan has now been approved and is referenced in government strategies: DIUS Innovation Nation, BERR Enterprise Strategy and DCMS Creative Britain. The Chancellor Alistair Darling has offered to host a Design Council breakfast at Number 11 in July and we are identifying opportunities for Ian Pearson, DIUS Minister to make a speech on design and innovation. The Chairman and Chief Executive will be hosting a series of dinners with stakeholders, to which Council members will be invited.
In discussion the following points was highlighted:
- Council asked the status of Cox Review implementation. The Chief Executive responded that the Implementation Board is pleased with progress overall. The areas which have progressed less quickly are around procurement and the national design centre.
04 End of year review 2007-08
The Chief Executive reminded Council that the quarter four review balanced scorecard and finances round off the year 2007-08. The following matters were highlighted;
- Council asked if there was any concern about the Designing Demand figures for Innovate and Generate being lower than Immerse or that it is not yet live in all regions. The Chief Executive responded that not all RDAs have purchased a balanced portfolio of Designing Demand services and that in some cases the implementation timetable has slipped. These and other issues and potential solutions will be explored through the DIUS and BERR review of the programme, to be led by David Godber.
- Council asked whether any resource was being made available for the review. The Chief Executive responded that £30k was being made available by DIUS and BERR and that this is being matched by the Design Council from its grant in aid.
In conclusion Council invited the Deputy Chief Executive to give an overview of the terms of reference of the Designing Demand review at the Council strategy retreat in June.
05 Operational Plan 2008-09: for approval
The Chief Executive introduced the draft operational plan for 2008-09 for Council’s approval. It outlines the detailed first year plan of the 2008-11 strategy, the Good Design Plan. Progress against the objectives and KPIs will be reviewed on a quarterly basis with Council, DUIS and DCMS.
The draft strategic risks were also circulated for review, including matters relating to external funding, government strategies and rationalisation initiatives (eg BSSP and website), partnership management, and, internal processes. Council agreed that these required more work and that risks relating to the new strategy will be discussed at the Strategy Retreat in June. They will be finalise by the end of quarter one.
The operation plan 2008-09 was approved, pending the inclusion of final KPIs and risks.
06 Design Against Crime: update and discussion
Andrea Siodmok, Chief Design Officer joined the meeting and gave an overview of the Designing out Crime project, run in partnership with the Home Office. This project is part of a portfolio of work within the public sector including ‘Demonstrations’ with central government and an enabling programme similar to the private sector model of Designing Demand.
The Council expressed their support of the project and asked what the legacy will be. The Chairman responded that the Design Council’s role is as an intermediary to help organisations build capacity to innovate.
07 aob
There were no matters arising.