WESTERN ISLES LOCAL ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING

Minutes of Meeting held in WIE on Wednesday 25^th August 2004

Present:  
Murdo Maclennan, WIE    Chairman
Donnie Macaulay, WIE

Bill Howat, CnES

R Stewart Job Centre +

Charles Engebretsen, FSB

Lachlan MacPherson, CnES

Apologies: 
A Campbell, CnES 
David Green, LCC
D McKim, CnES 
Ann MacCallum, CofC
Allan Anderson, WIAA  
Angus Macmillan, WITB

Also Present:   Iain Morrison, WIE; Calum Iain Maciver, CnES; Mary Anne Campbell, Cal Mac (for item 2 only)

1 Murdo Maclennan opened the meeting and welcomed those present.

2 Discussion Forum – Mary Anne Campbell, Caledonian Macbrayne Ltd

Members discussed the consultation process for timetabling, which is led by the local authority with feedback to the Shipping Services Advisory Committee. Members were informed that current arrangements could change with the inception of the tendering process, with tendering based on the timetable prevailing in Summer 2005. It is likely the timetable will not be materially altered during the 5 year term of contract awarded, and that the tender process will be for the whole network. Members expressed concern that this could constrain service development and therefore have significant impact on economic progress, and that it will be vital that all agencies monitor and make representation as appropriate. This was particularly important given recent growth in traffic, with passenger numbers and vehicle numbers increasing by 6% and 25% between 2000-2004. LEF members also noted feedback from customers suggesting difficulty in booking accommodation in the area.                                                           

Action Point: It was agreed that the LEF and all key agencies would feed back to the Scottish Executive as a matter of urgency.

3 Notes of Previous meeting 27th May 2004

The note was agreed upon, proposed by D Macaulay and seconded by B Howat.

4 Matters Arising

D M Macaulay highlighted the scope of EU funded Schemes to assist business development recently introduced by WIE, including HIE Quality and HIE Productivity, focussing on the tourism and manufacturing sectors respectively.

D M Macaulay also confirmed comments had been forwarded to the Scottish Executive on LEF Guidance Notes, following discussion by the LEF.

5 General Update

Members agreed this item should be deleted.

6 Audit Scotland Visit Report and Press Release

D Macaulay commented that the Scotland wide report is available on the AS website, and that progress by WI LEF is measured against Action Plan targets. It is therefore important the LEF revises the Action Plan in line with current aspirations. The detailed AS report will be considered by the Scottish Executive in due course.

Members commented that the tone of the report was rather negative and did not take cognisance of the changing local economic environment. The report was noted.

7 Creating Communities of the Future Update

C I Maciver updated members on CCoF, confirming that this is the final version following consultation. The document is currently being translated to Gaelic, and out for design and pricing, with a view to publication in October 2004.

Murdo Maclennan sought some change to be made in the section on broadcasting and the media. The updated version was approved subject to the minor changes identified.

Action Point:  Calum Iain Maciver to include mention of mainstream broadcasters and to revise ‘hub-and-spoke’ to ‘promote’.

8 Brand Initiative        
 
Members endorsed the principles of the paper and agreed that the project should progress to the next stage.

9 HIE Quality and Productivity Schemes
 
This Item was covered at Item 4 under Matters Arising

10 Local Govt in Scotland Act 2003 – Community Planning Statutory Guidance and Advice Notes

Lachlan MacPherson commented that Community Coordinators appointed may be a good conduit for community views on planning issues. Donnie Macaulay suggested that pilot community participation in a small ward may show others how the CP process could succeed.
Lachlan MacPherson stated that the structure and remit of the various forums will be reviewed, in light of a changing environment where more and more organisations have a role within the framework of community planning.
Bill Howat commented that some changes could be driven by the Gershon report on public sector efficiency.

11 Action Plan Update

A paper updating confirming the original 13 action points was presented to members and it was agreed that a revised version will brought to the next meeting for approval.

Action Point:  Iain Morrison to E-mail members for comments, including additions/deletions, and a revised draft plan to be submitted to the next LEF meeting.

12 AOCB

Bill Howat updated members on the Community Regeneration Fund which has funds of £338K available for a diverse remit which directly targets disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

Action Point: D Macaulay to nominate WIE colleague to represent LEF.

There was no other business and the date of the next meeting is set for 2 December 2004 in the Boardroom at WIE.