29th August 2002, 12.00, Western Isles Enterprise (WIE) Board Room

Present: 

Murdo MacLennan, Donnie Macaulay, WIE
Ole Petter Krabberod, WIAA
Charles Engebretsen, FSB
Bob Stewart, ES
David Green, LCC
Bill Howatt, CnES

Also present: Mairi Maciver, WIE

1. Welcome & Apologies

M MacLennan opened the meeting and welcomed those present. Apologies were noted from Angus MacMillan (WITB).

2. Note of last meeting, 4th July 2002

As Chair was the only member at present at both meeting, it was agreed that approval of the minutes be carried forward to next meeting.

3. Matters Arising

Per AOCB: dates for next meetings – members agreed that these had been set as Thurs 10th Oct, and Thurs 21st Nov, both at 12.00 noon. Calum Maciver asked to consider and propose for next meeting, dates for first 4 months of 2003.

4. Action Plan Update

For next meeting members requested that outstanding items in the plan be identified. David Green of LCC suggested that an action point for the College, on rationalisation, be withdrawn as it is being addressed through single entry point.

5. Arnish Update

Donnie Macaulay ran through a short PowerPoint presentation highlighting HIE / WIE’s proposals for Arnish yard.  Members also viewed the ‘masterplan’ report and accompanying plans.

Members then discussed the information and benefits gained from a recent trip to Norway to view fish farming and processing activities there with links to possible operations at Arnish.  The benefit of a similar visit to an energy related firm e.g. AMEC, Cambrian Engineering was highlighted per Arnish also.

6. Barriers Sub-group: Update & Discussion

Ole Petter Krabberod presented this paper and sought LEF members’ views.

The changing characteristics and approach of the press were noted.

Members noted the significant issues highlighted in this paper and discussed the ability and appropriateness of LEF actions in responses to these issues.  Members agreed that whilst LEF members / member agencies’ could individually express opinion, collectively the LEF could only collate information (e.g. existing or commissioned research) to inform and propose a ‘statement of fact’, in relation to remit of the LEF.  Informed decisions could feed into 2nd year of the Action Plan.

It was agreed that the Barriers subgroup paper, Action Plan and national guidelines be incorporated into one paper.  Need to prioritise items and engage with the wider community noted e.g. meeting with statutory bodies / banks etc., open days.

7. Action 35 Update

Members noted the update.  Final document is due in November. The LEF requested to see an executive summary of the report.  Links to ongoing issues noted i.e. less favoured area Review, land access issues per new build housing.

8. Energy Issues

CnES noted the various measures and activities ongoing, with a need to refocus on strategic issues.

9. Press Issues

Discussed in item 6.  Chair noted the need ensure the Action Plan was completed with conclusions before being profiled.

10. AOCB

National Guidelines – to be incorporated in document for next meeting, see item 6.
Individual LEFs are encouraged to input to forthcoming Ministerial meeting.  Issues noted included identifying private sector input e.g. man-hours, reinforce issues of geographical constraint.