WESTERN ISLES LOCAL ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING

Held in Boardroom, WIE on Thursday 27th May 2004

Present:  
Murdo Maclennan, WIE    Chairman
Donnie Macaulay, WIE
A Campbell, CnES
D McKim, CnES
David Green, LCC
Angus Macmillan, WITB

Apologies: 
Charles Engebretsen, FSB
Bill Howatt, CnES
Allan Anderson, WIAA 

Also Present:   Norma Hogan, WIE, Calum Iain Maciver, CnES

1 Murdo Maclennan opened the meeting and welcomed those present.

2 Notes of Previous meeting 24th February 2004  

The note was agreed upon, proposed by A Macmillan and seconded by D Macaulay.

3 Matters Arising

D Macaulay clarified for members the distinction between the LEF Action Plan and Creating Communities of the Future (CCoF). The Action Plan purely related to LEF activities whereas CCoF was a strategic level document supported by public sector partners in the Western Isles area, and HIE. D Macaulay also confirmed the LEF Action Plan would be submitted to the August meeting for consideration. Action Point: Add to August agenda.

M Maclennan confirmed his contact with Calmac, following discussion at the previous LEF meeting. This correspondence has been circulated to members for information. LEF members agreed to invite the Stornoway – Ullapool Route Manager, Mary Ann Campbell to the next LEF meeting to discuss timetabling issues.  Action Point:  Mary Ann Campbell to be invited to speak at the August LEF meeting.

4 General Update

Members agreed this was covered elsewhere in the Agenda.

5 Audit Scotland Draft Visit Report and Response

D Macaulay confirmed WIE, following discussion with CNES, had responded through Iain Morrison, to the draft report by Audit Scotland, and this response was included in the papers circulated.  D Macaulay confirmed the final report of findings was received today and members agreed this should be circulated with papers for the next LEF meeting.  Action Point:  DMM to distribute Final Report and item to be added to August agenda. 

6 Scottish Executive LEF Guidance Notes

D Macaulay confirmed Scottish Executive were seeking comments by 28 May 2004.  It was agreed the WI LEF response should allude to the need for flexibility at local level rather than nationally imposed solutions, that key issues should include service delivery improvements, micro management should be avoided. Members agreed the originally objectives of LEFs remained relevant, and that the proposed refreshing of “Smart Successful Scotland” should also be a consideration.   Action Point: DMM to formulate and send response to Scottish Executive.

7 Creating Communities of the Future Update

C I Maciver updated members on CCoF, confirming proposed changes in emphasis, and timescale for completion. It was agreed the revised draft should be concise and not exceed the current page count. Timetable of final draft is as follows:  WIE; HIE and CnES to meet next week; 9th June to CnES Committee; 14th June to WIE board with a view to completion and publication July 2004.  Derek McKim noted it was disappointing FSB and COC were not present for their buy-in, however Calum Iain Maciver will liaise directly with them and with WIAA seeking input.

Members highlighted the importance of, and need to refer to, issues including population, grid connectivity, housing, and increased private sector activity in the new version of CCoF. Action Point:  Calum Iain Maciver to follow up with FSB, COC, WIAA for their input and complete final draft.

8 Brand Initiative        
 
Update paper – no further discussion at this stage.

9 Credit Union
 
Update paper – no further discussion at this stage.

10 Local Housing Strategy

The strategy has yet to be approved by the Scottish Executive.  A Campbell intimated the tenants ballot is scheduled to take place later this year which would in turn enable the Hebridean Housing Partnership to commence operations in Spring 2005.

11 Population Issues (paper for discussion)

Update paper – no further discussion at this stage.

12 AOCB

D Macaulay confirmed HIE have been awarded European money to deliver 2 new Business Support Programmes – HIE Quality and HIE Productivity.  HIE Productivity will target business in the manufacturing sector, and HIE Quality will focus on strategic investments, including upgrade projects, in the tourism sector.  Action Point: D Macaulay to provide summary of both Programmes to LEF members for information.

There was no other business and the date of the next meeting is set for 26 August 2004 in the Boardroom at WIE.