WESTERN ISLES LOCAL ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING

3rd April 2003, 12.00, Caberfeidh Hotel, Stornoway

Present: 
M. MacLennan and D. Macaulay, WIE
R. Murray, CnES
D. Green, LCC
C. Engebretsen, FSB

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

1. Welcome & Apologies

M. MacLennan opened the meeting and welcomed those present.  Apologies were relayed from B. Stewart, ES; A. MacMillan, WITB; A. McCallum, CoC and B. Howat, CnES.

2. Note of meetings held on 6th February 2003

The note of the meeting was agreed. 

3. Matters Arising

D. Macaulay noted that the Renewable Energy Supply Chain meeting had been rescheduled.  The meeting had been attended by thirty local businesses, with follow-up one-to-one surgery sessions.

The Central Support Team confirmed that they would attend the next meeting of the LEF scheduled for 12 June 2003.

4. LEF Action Plan: Economic Development Framework

The final version of the Framework document was presented.  As required, this had been forwarded to the Scottish Executive for 31st March.  Members noted that the document presented a long-term vision, requiring on-going monitoring and feedback.  It was agreed that lead agencies would report back progress from their area of responsibility at LEF meetings.

Progress in regard to the renewable energy aspects of the plan was discussed.  It was agreed that sharp focus and co-ordinated effort at the local level was required.  It was agreed that the Western Isles Alternative & Renewable Energy Partnership (WIAREP) would co-ordinate effort and provide a schematic in regard to key tasks.

To provide greater clarity and to differentiate from the original “Creating Communities of the Future” document it was agreed to re-title the document.

The level of local press coverage of the document was noted.  It was agreed to forward a hard copy of the final document to the local press.  

5. Resources Data  

Data, outlining resources expended on economic development services, for the period 1 April 2002 – 31 March 2003 was required.  WIE and CnES would collate and forward this data.

6. Community Planning                                   

The LEF noted that a Community Planning (CP) seminar had been held in February, which had helped clarify issues emerging from the CP process.  The CP Working Group would be meeting on 4th April to build on the recommendations from the seminar.

7. Action 35 update

C I MacIver provided a brief update.  A meeting with SEERAD, in order discuss strategic issues such as state aids and CAP review, had been undertaken on 26 February.  A follow up meeting was held in Lochmaddy on 17 March.  An implementation for delivery of the strategy is presently being created.

8. Energy Issues

The WIAREP conference held in March was judged to have been successful, with good potential for follow-up activity.  This activity will be co-ordinated via WIAREP.

D. Green noted that Lews Castle College (LCC) were formulating plans for the establishment of renewable energy research / training institute at LCC.  A meeting, following on from the LEF meeting, would explore issues in regard to the establishment of such an institute.                                                                                   

9. Press Issues

No new issues. 

10. AOB

The LEF Chairman noted that this would be R. Murray’s last LEF meeting.  He thanked Mr Murray for his participation in the work of the LEF and his contribution to economic development activity in the Western Isles.