Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation from the Managing Director, Dorset Innovation Park Ltd.

The shareholder committee received a presentation from the Managing Director, Dorset Innovation Park, which provided an overview of the planning and implementation of the transition from Dorset Council to Dorset Innovation Park Ltd. The presentation included information on the role of the company, details around the fundamental company set-up, priority workstreams to support future operations and proposals to agree and communicate future park development.

The Chair of the Board recognised the work being undertaken to move the company forward and thanked all those that attended a recent open day at the park.

The shareholder committee discussed the matters covered in the presentation and comments were made in the following areas:

·       Dorset Council was ambitious for the potential of the site and in particular the opportunities to innovate and create higher paid, skilled jobs

·       A discussion was held in respect of the role of large data centres and whilst it was recognised that these were important, other innovative options would be investigated including green energy and use of lower energy chips, being more appropriate and energy efficient

·       In response to a question on the aspiration to take the innovation park into profit, the Managing Director noted that at this stage, it was hoped that this would happen in year 4, although this could potentially be earlier dependant on the progress with planned projects

·       A question was raised relating to the configuration of the building and provision of hot desks. Further consideration was required in respect of this, including discussion with the Ministry of Defence

·       The Dorset Innovation Park Business Plan would be brought to the February 2026 meeting of the shareholder committee for consideration. This would include a one-year plan and a forward look to the future

·       The company would be looking at issues relating to the buildings including heating requirements

·       The company would be investigating opportunities and proposals for the innovation park. The Business Plan to be presented to the shareholder committee would include staffing and budget information and plans to promote the site on a wide scale

·       The company board had plans to raise the profile and show the potential of the innovation park through events, lobbying and wider promotional activities including with Government and industry sectors

·       The Chair made a number of comments following on from the presentation including opportunities to use the conference centre on site for events (particular reference made to a forthcoming “Great South West” board meeting and a Paths to Prosperity meeting) and the importance of links with education providers with reference made to links with sixth form colleges, Coastland College and Kingston Maurward

·       Education outreach was key in considering skills development, raising awareness and aspirations

·       Reference was made to wider issues of the affordability and availability of housing and how this linked to the provision of jobs. It was recognised that this linked to wider council policies.