WESTERN ISLES LOCAL ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING

12th June 2003, 12.00, Western Isles Enterprise, Stornoway

Present: 
M. MacLennan and D. Macaulay, WIE
A. Campbell and B. Howat, CnES
C. Engebretsen, FSB
M. MacIver WITB

Also present: 
C. I. MacIver, WIE
D. McKim and M. Bruce, CnES
M.McElhinney and D. Perkins, CST

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; D. Morrison, AA and D. Green, LCC.

2. Note of meeting held on 3rd April 2003

The note of the meeting was agreed. 

3. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising. 

4. Central Support Team Update                                

M. McElhinney provided an update in regard to progress with LEFs, reminding members of the context – elimination of overlap / duplication and service improvement to the business community.  Action Plans to address these issues had been submitted and they were in the process of being delivered.  LEFs also charged with developing an economic development framework for their area. 

Key future issues will include continued service delivery improvements, with the full introduction of single entry point seen as critical.  Links to community also viewed as critical, with LEFs becoming a more formalised part of the Community Planning process.  Recent ministerial change would lead to evolution of the LEFs, but at this stage the shape of any change is unknown.

In addition to practical changes arising from the LEF process a number of more intangible impacts were being identified.  These included a general change to the way of thinking and in some parts of Scotland engagement with forums was driving up FSB membership and helping to consolidate CoC.

An open discussion followed with the following key points being made:

• Through the LEF process a number of barriers to development were identified, particularly tensions between regulatory frameworks and the private sector.  As actions in regard to this were identified in the local Economic Development Framework, it is critical that the Framework is widely distributed to organisations such as SEPA, SNH and the Crown Estate.
• Transport and Infrastructure are critical in the Western Isles.  Although much has been achieved recently, much remains to be done.
• Feedback on Economic Development Frameworks suggested a range of common themes across Scotland.  These included integration with Smart, Successful Scotland; transport & infrastructure; profile of area and broadband.
• Feedback in regard to the Western Isles Economic Development Frameworks suggested that thinking was advanced in comparison with other areas, with consensus achieved in regard to what can be done and timescales / lead bodies allocated to tasks. 

5. LEF Action Plan: Economic Development Framework

It was agreed that each organisation would provide a brief written update in regard to their organisations actions within the Economic Development Framework.

It was agreed that the Framework would be audited for match against the new Scottish Executive Programme for Government.

Brief verbal updates were provided against the main topic areas within the Framework.

6. Improving Customer Services                                                      

D. Macaulay spoke to the paper, which outlined the HIE network’s approach to improving services.  It was noted that the proposed first marketing campaign in support of single entry point would not now progress until circa September rather than the June / July date noted in the paper. 

It was agreed that WIE and CnES should visit a Scottish Enterprise Business Gateway.

7. PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) Update

The update, showing proposed actions in regard to the recently announced Marine Harvest redundancies, was noted. 

8. Iomairt aig an Oir            

The Community Planning Partnership had been invited by the Iomairt aig an Oir (IaaO) Management Group to nominate up to three new Western Isles candidate areas to join the IaaO initiative.  A report will be presented to the Community Planning Partnership on 24th June.                                              

9. Local Housing Strategy

M. Bruce provided an update in regard to the development of the Local Housing Strategy (LHS).  The Strategy, covering a five-year span, will be submitted to the Scottish Executive by April 2004 and will summarise housing issues in the Western Isles.

The LHS will potentially have significant local economic impact.  There are a range of barriers and work requires to be undertaken with the construction industry.  LHS, therefore, to remain a standing LEF agenda item.

10. Action 35 Update 

C. I. MacIver provided an update on progress.  An implementation model, with a number of organisations leading on key tasks, had been agreed.  A range of projects seeking funding had come forward, with these projects presently being assessed.  Support to assist the co-ordination of effort under Action 35 will be sought.

11. Energy Issues

Key issues were covered under the Economic Development Framework update.

12. Press Issues

No new issues.

13. AOB

Date of the next meeting confirmed as 14th August