WESTERN ISLES LOCAL ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING

Minutes of Meeting held in WIE on Thursday 2 December 2004

Present:  

A Campbell, CnES (Chair)
D Macaulay, WIE
B Howat, CnES
R Stewart Job Centre Plus
C Engebretsen, FSB
D Green, LCC
                         
Apologies: 
M Maclennan, WIE    
A MacCallum, CofC
A Anderson, WIAA  
A Macmillan, WITB

Also Present:   I Morrison, WIE; D McKim, C I Maciver, L MacPherson CnES; Andrew Goudie, SE

1 A Campbell opened the meeting and welcomed those present.
                           

2 Minute of meeting held on 25th August 2004  

The minutes were agreed, proposed by D Macaulay and seconded by B Howat.

3 Matters Arising  

D M Macaulay informed members that Creating Communities of the Future will be published January / February 2005.

4 Tourism Network Changes

C I Maciver confirmed CNES and VisitScotland have agreed a draft Service Level Agreement, which it is anticipated will be finalised early in 2005. Tourist Information Centres will remain in place as at present, and short term plans recognise the importance of a smooth transition to the new structure in April 2005.

5 Business Improvement Districts

The paper outlined a regeneration model in use in North America, which is led by the private sector. The Executive are fairly neutral on the model but are keen to encourage proposals for pilot schemes. It is recognised that BIDs would be difficult to achieve in rural areas, but the Executive would welcome feedback on how a rural scheme might work. CNES to progress.

C Engebretsen highlighted the operational difficulties faced by town centre traders in Stornoway following the introduction of new traffic restrictions. CNES agreed to forward a briefing note confirming the updated position.

6 Brand Initiative

Members were impressed with the work done to date, with the seminar taking place early in 2005 being a good point to take stock on progress and move the project forward.
Action Point:  Proposal to change forum name to Outer Hebrides Local Economic Forum agreed (in line with agreed change by Community Planning Partnership).

7 Action Plan Revision        
 
Members endorsed the principles of the paper and agreed that the actions proposed should be carried out. Members agreed that the Action Plan could be added to on an ongoing basis as circumstances dictated. Members discussed the need to have greater input from the private sector to the Forum.
Action Point:  Increased involvement from the private sector to be sought, with Chamber of Commerce and WIAA to be contacted by Iain Morrison to seek continuing representation on the Local Economic Forum.

8 WIE Draft Business Plan 2005/06

Members endorsed the general principles of the document and agreed to feed back to WIE with any further views. WIE urged to ensure adequate prioritisation for renewables, infrastructure investment, and capacity building to ensure optimum engagement in the development process.
Action Point:  Iain Morrison and Calum Iain Maciver to cross reference with CCoF to ensure complementarity. FSB, Chamber of Commerce and WIAA to liaise with members and provide comment to WIE by 24 December 2004.

9 AOCB

Lachlan MacPherson provided 2005 dates for Community Planning Partnership meetings, and it was agreed that LEF meetings would take place 2-3 weeks prior to these meetings. Lachlan requested that he is included in the circulation list for LEF papers.
The LEF will be represented by Murdo Maclennan and Iain Morrison at the LEF Stakeholders Conference on 7th December.
D McKim commented on the need for a co-ordinated approach to ensuring local business involvement in the supply chain for the potential renewable energy industry developments. D M Macaulay confirmed previous discussions with developers on this issue, and anticipated a conference/seminar in Spring of 2005.