meeting held on 31 October 2006 - Lancaster University

predominance to support for SMEs. Funding is available to the end of
March 2008 but initiatives that could be delivered by March 2007 would
be welcomed. Funding was available in the range £10-100K and the
University does not need to be the lead partner in any proposal.
Dion Williams commented that this might represent an excellent
opportunity for a number of the outreach teams to secure match funding
towards their ERDF initiatives.
7. HLS Pathfinder
Jane O’Brien outlined the Higher Levels Skills Pathfinder project that is to
be co-ordinated by the North West Universities Association and funded by
HEFCE. The Pathfinder is one of three regional pilot projects that are
formulated around the stimulation of demand from employers for Higher
Level Skills provision from the Higher and Further Education sectors. Jane
O’Brien is co-ordinating the University’s response to this initiative.
The North West Pathfinder centres on two key initiatives – the mapping
of current provisions and creation of a brokerage mechanism, and funding
for the development of new provision that is demand-led. The Pathfinder
focuses on four sectors that are either North West Development Agency
Priority Sectors (Advanced Manufacturing, Creative & Digital Industries,
Financial & Professional Services) or are regionally large employers
(Construction). Any new course provision must be of Level 4 standard
(first year undergraduate) and accredited. Jane O’Brien said that CETAD
have lots of experience in accreditation frameworks and could offer
assistance in this regard.
8. Any Other Business
Magnus George gave an overview of the difficulties that have resulted for
the Management School, in particular with visiting clients, as a result of
the University’s new parking policies. Steve Riches concurred with this
view from an InfoLab21 perspective and stated that a distinction should
be made between visitors and guests. Trevor McMillan suggested that the
situation be given time to settle down in order to get a full perspective of
the long term impact of the new arrangements. A long discussion ensued.
Action: Trevor McMillan to discuss the issues with Andrew Neal
Trevor McMillan asked the Board to note that Lancaster University had
been cited in the Sunday Times Higher Education League Tables for our
interaction with industry.