21st November 2002, 12.00, Western Isles Enterprise

Present: 

M. MacLennan and D. Macaulay, WIE
A. MacDonald and B. Howat, CnES
O. P. Krabberod, WIAA
 F. Rennie, LCC

Also present: C. I. MacIver, WIE

1. Welcome & Apologies

M. MacLennan opened the meeting and welcomed those present. Apologies were noted from R. Murray (CnES), D. Green (LCC), B. Stewart (ES), A. MacMillan (WITB), C. Engebretsen (FSB) and B. Adam (CoC).

2. Note of meetings held on 10th October 2002

B. Howat outlined an amendment in regard to AOB, with the minute to read as follows: “It was also agreed that CnES would prepare a briefing note for CnES, HIE and WIE representatives on the need to review the Crofting Building Grants & Loans Scheme.  This will allow the issued to be raised at the next meeting of the Highlands & Islands Convention on 28 October in Oban.”

With that amendment the minute was approved.

3. Matters Arising

B. Howat noted that the issue of the Crofting Building Grants & Loans Scheme had been raised at the Highlands & Islands Convention on 28 October.  The Minister subsequently agreed to review.

4. LEF Action Plan: Economic Development Framework

C. I. MacIver presented the first draft of the Year 2 LEF action plan.  This document is designed to put in place a plan, which addresses the requirement for a LEF Year 2 plan, incorporating objectives within the Creating Communities of the Future document and the findings of the LEF Barriers to Development sub-group.

Members discussed the draft plan in detail and suggested a range of minor amendments. 

The following key amendments were also agreed:

• The first draft would act as a consultative / information document, both within local agencies and with the business and wider community.
• The document should seek to add an additional page to incorporate over-arching issues, which impact across all the key drivers.  These issues include research, environment, quality and uniqueness of place.
• Community Planning: an addition should state that the final Community Planning document will go out to public consultation
• Gaelic Heritage: the proposals for the development of Gaelic language and heritage to be presented to the Community Planning partnership on Monday 25th November to be incorporated into the action plan.
• Gaelic Heritage: aspiration for the introduction of a digital Gaelic channel to be added.
• Jobs Dispersal: examples of potential dispersal opportunities to be incorporated.
• Action 35: The potentials arising from housing stock transfer and the establishment of the Hebridean Housing Partnership should be added.
• Barriers: The title of this page to be amended to “Developmental Challenges”.
• A new page detailing “Next Steps” to be added to the document.    

The next stage in the Action Plan process was discussed with the following outline agenda agreed:

• produce final draft
• circulate to LEF members
• circulate for wider consultation
• agree final document - within LEF and at Community Planning forum level
• publish / launch document

5. Future of LEFs                         

The paper was noted.

6. Action 35 update

Progress with Action 35 was noted.  The importance of the Leadership Group and the implementation stage was highlighted, to help deliver maximum long-term benefit to the area.  

7. WIE Business Plan

 The paper was noted.

8. Community Planning

No new issues noted.

9. Energy Issues

No new issues noted.

10. Press Issues

M. MacLennan noted press interest in the action plan being prepared by the LEF.  It was agreed that the press would have access to the document when it is put into the public domain in the New Year.

11. AOB

B. Howat thanked WIE for undertaking a presentation to the Council in regard to the work of WI LEF.