Present:  Nick Williams (Sheffield Metal Polishing), Nigel Tomlinson (SCCI), Richard Wright (SCCI), Mike Smalley (Holbrook Business Systems), Jonathan Hunt (Wake Smith), Helen Rana (SCCI), Tracey Williams (SCCI), Philip Gregory (PricewaterhouseCoopers), Steve Davies (EEF), Peter Wood (Sheffield Technology Parks), Simon Walker (John Lewis Sheffield), Edward Highfield (Corporate Policy Unit), Julie Byrne (Sheffield College), Anita Brough (Russell Richardson), Ken Torres (Torres Engineering & Pumps), Stuart Green (UK Steel Enterprise), Tracy Viner (Tracy Viner Limited), Hakim Wais (BME Forum), Tim Hale (Champion Hire Ltd), Stephen Mitchell (SCCI), Keith Shivers (MJ Gleeson Group Plc), Dave Sheridan (Kier Group), Peter Hoy (Macalloy Ltd), Nick Tovey (Wardell Armstrong), John Taylor (Sheffield City College)

Apologies:  Paul Jagger (SCCI), Hans Hux (B Braun Medical), Peter Hayes (Sheffield Hallam University), Peter Lee (Beachcroft LLP), Yuri Matischen (Montgomery Leisure Services), Paul Hancock (Bright Finance), Diana Green (Sheffield Hallam University), Hermann Beck (Holiday Inn, Royal Victoria), David Moody (Ivas Wood), Jill Davies (Westfield Health), Julie Readman (Business Link South Yorkshire), John Barber (Business in the Community), Richard Frost (Hawsons)

Presentation by Jonathan Crossley-Holland, Executive Director, Children and Young People: “Addressing the Skills Challenge – A Partnership Approach.”

The presentation outlined the skills challenge, identified opportunities for collaboration with schools, established what schools need from the business community and articulated potential benefits for businesses, as well as explaining.  Questions then followed concerning the topics of the presentation, and Mr Crossley-Holland left the meeting.

Matters Arising
Nick Williams brought up the fact that some members’ profiles have still not been received as planned.  Would all Council members please ensure that they send their profiles to Tracey Williams ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

It was agreed that all Council members will be provided with Chamber badges.  Vernon Tolson to action this.

The question of appointing a co-ordinator for retailers was brought up.  Nigel Tomlinson stated that the Chamber had designated BDE Charles Grayson to focus exclusively upon members in this sector.  Currently, resources have been poured into retail groups in different areas, but there has been a huge variation in attendance from different areas of the city.  It is therefore proposed to create a citywide retail association which would include one representative from each geographical retailers’ association.  Helen Rana will take this forward.

Ken Torres raised the issue of certificates being produced for finalists of the Business Awards for 2006, as was previously discussed.  Nigel Tomlinson suggested that the certificates should state that they were “finalists” rather than runners up, and this was agreed.  Nick Williams stated that these certificates will be sent out within 28 days.  It was agreed to produce “Runner-Up” certificates for the Business Awards 2007.  Nigel Tomlinson to look into this matter and report back.

Jonathan Crossley-Holland had asked Nigel Tomlinson to sum up the presentation after he had left.  Due to the recent local council elections producing no overall control, and with a difference of opinion between the two largest parties on the issue of academies and trust schools, it is hard to know what progress will be made in this area in the near future and at what pace any such progress will be made.  Nigel stated that he realises people do have concerns over trust schools, and is concerned that the Chamber should not jump in too early before these proposals have been clarified.  The decision was made that the Chamber should move ahead with these plans to mould the implementation of trust schools and academies, to refrain from unequivocal support until such time as details of management and administration of such schemes are known.

Board Communiqué
The EGM to follow on Monday was discussed, along with proxy votes being cast for those unable to attend.

Nigel Tomlinson explained details of the 150th anniversary dinner.

It was noted that Paul Jagger is standing for the position of Deputy President of the BCC, and the SCCI board fully supports him.  (Ken Torres noted that he was surprised to find out that Paul Jagger had stood as a candidate at the local elections.  Nigel Tomlinson stated that he didn’t directly volunteer, his name was put forward in his absence.  He had stood for election to city council three years ago, and has never concealed his political alignment.  Ken Torres responded that his intention was to make the council aware of the situation.)

Nigel Tomlinson stated that the person involved in promoting Business against Crime  - Ed Dodd – was now working within Albion House.

Nick Williams confirmed that there were no questions to be asked to the Chief Executive.

Policy/Forum Activities Report
Nick Williams stated that it was good to see that a Health and Social Care Forum is being created.

Nick Tovey stated he wrote the SPARC column for the Sheffield Telegraph on the subject of “sustainability”. 

Peter Hoy said that links should be made between the Sheffield Manufacturers’ group and the equivalent organisation in Rotherham.  Peter Hoy stated that often people did not have time to attend separate events for Sheffield and Rotherham, and it would be more useful if these events were combined. Nigel said that complaints have been received regarding a manufacturers event at NAMTEC – that the event did not deliver its promise. 

Matters to be raised
It was noted that Richard Frost has resigned with effect from the AGM in September, so the Chamber is looking for a new honourary treasurer.

Junior Vice Presidential recommendations should be submitted by July.  As of Monday 14th May, any nominees must have served on the council for two years to be eligible.

Nick Williams stated that his tenure as Council Chairman comes to an end in July, so nominations should be made for a successor.

Julie Byrne stated that she was attending the 150th anniversary dinner and was available to sit on a table as a SCCI representative if needed.

Simon Walker stated that he will be skydiving on 7th August in order to raise money for the charity “Help a Hallam Child”.  All contributions gratefully received!

Tim Hale suggested that, as Sheffield has 500 businesses involved in sport, it would be beneficial to identify opportunities that might arise from London 2012.  Nick Williams stated that the next manufacturers’ meeting is on that topic, with a provisional date of 12th June.  Nigel Tomlinson added that Sheffield has had notable successes in bidding for events, winning the School Games in 2011 and the World Swimming Championships.

Ken Torres stated that the Chamber CEO had put out a press report on the Chancellor’s last budget without consulting local businesses on their views.  Nigel Tomlinson responded that if a press report is not ready immediately when the Chamber is asked for it, then the press will ignore any later comments, and Steve Davies agreed that it is not feasible to consult members on all matters, especially time-sensitive ones, and that the Executive should be able to comment without referring at all times.

Ken Torres questioned the procedure for the appointment of Mike Smalley as non-executive Chairman of SENTA.  Nick Williams explained that, as this is an operational matter, the Board makes the decision and it is not a matter for discussion at Chamber Council.  Ken Torres asked for clarification on whether SENTA acts independently from the Chamber Council.  Nigel Tomlinson explained that the correct procedures were followed by the Board.

Ken Torres raised the issue of the Chamber sponsoring the final Sheffield Wednesday match of the season, and asked various questions relating to the Chamber’s marketing spend.  Nick Williams commented that the questions were too specific to be answered at this meeting, and perhaps this issue should be a written agenda item in the next meeting.

Ken Torres also commented that the Chamber President had seemed to take credit for the review group and revised M & A in the press, whereas Chamber Council had also worked on this.  Tim Hale stated that it had perhaps been poorly reported by the press.

Peter Hoy suggested that Jonathan Crossley-Holland’s presentation would be useful to many people, and should be made available.

Tim Hale stated that an individual who has previously stood for Chamber Council but failed to be elected might feel embarrassed about standing again.  Stephen Mitchell commented that anyone will be encouraged to apply or reapply when the press release asking for nominations goes out after the elections.

The next meeting will take place at Albion House on 6th July 2007.

After Minute
Nick Williams noted that it would increase Council’s efficiency if questions requiring research or in-depth answers could be submitted in advance of future meetings, to give the Chairman time to provide in-depth and fully-researched responses.  In addition, Chamber Council is reminded that the function of Council as per Article 68 of the revised Articles of Association is to deal with the interests, view and opinions of members of the business community generally, interpreting representational matters, and miscellaneous other defined functions.  Council is convened to discuss policy matters and cannot consider any operational issues, which are decided independently by the Board and Executive Management Team.