WESTERN ISLES LOCAL ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING

6th February 2003, 12.30, Western Isles Enterprise

Present: 
M. MacLennan and D. Macaulay, WIE
R. Murray and B. Howat, CnES
O. P. Krabberod, WIAA
D. Green, LCC
B. Stewart, ES
A. MacMillan, WITB
C. Engebretsen, FSB
A. McCallum. CoC

Also present: C. I. MacIver, WIE and D. McKim, CnES

1. Welcome & Apologies

M. MacLennan opened the meeting and welcomed those present.

2. Note of meetings held on 21st November 2002

The note of the meeting was agreed. 

3. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

4. LEF Action Plan: Economic Development Framework

C. I. MacIver presented a second draft of the Year 2 LEF action plan.  Members discussed the draft plan in detail and the following amendments were agreed:

• The vision of be moved to the front of the document.

• Consistency to be achieved in regard to the use of the UHI title.

• The plan to make clear that the “Creating Communities of the Future” document was submitted to government and to the First Minister and that it had received positive response and endorsement.

• Gaelic Heritage: Gaelic Language Development Plan to be amended to Gaelic Language Survival Plan.

• Renewable Energy: Dialogue with Government to include short and long term objectives in regard to inter-connector issues and the potential for storage and delivery of energy. 

• Developmental Challenges: Examples of the type of issues to be discussed with regulatory bodies to be provided.

• WI LEF Year 2 Action Plan: The potential of amalgamating Actions 2 and 3 was discussed.  CoC and FSB to discuss and revert back with their recommendations on how to proceed. 

• The need for providing “land banking” in regard to housing needs was discussed.  This issue has been identified as a specific action under the Action 35 framework and will be taken forward via that process.      

• The need to fully understand the external perceptions of the Western Isles was raised, as was the need to get the identity of the area right.  These issues would be developed as part of the perceptions action under Developmental Challenges.

It was agreed that the next steps in regard to the development of the document would be as follows:

• Revised draft posted to website for consultation (Comments by mid-March)
• Final draft circulated electronically to LEF members (mid-March)
• Forward final document to Executive (end March)

5. Community Planning

The date of the Community Planning Seminar (18th February) was noted.

6. LEF Timetable 2003                         

The paper was noted.  It was agreed that the Central Support Team would be invited to attend a regular LEF meeting.

7. Action 35 update

C I MacIver provided a brief update.  A meeting with SEERAD and the Action 35 Leadership Group is proposed for 26th February.  This meeting will allow for implementation priorities to be agreed.  

8. Energy Issues

LEF were reminded that the first WIAREP conference would be held in March and that this would offer excellent opportunities to market the Western Isles.

It was noted that the Renewable Energy Supply Chain meeting had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.  A new date would be arranged in due course.

9. Press Issues

No new issues. 

10. AOB

The LEF meetings scheduled for March and April to be combined with a new date of April 3rd agreed. 

The Chairman noted that this would be O. P. Krabberod’s last LEF meeting as WIAA representative.  He thanked Mr Krabberod for his participation in the work of the LEF, particularly the work done to identify barriers to development.