OUTER HEBRIDES LOCAL ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING

Minutes of Meeting held in WIE - Thursday 23 February 2006

Present: 

M Maclennan, WIE (Chair)
D Macaulay, WIE
D Green, LCC 
D McKim, CnES
J Hay, Chamber of Commerce
C Engebretsen, FSB

Apologies: 

A Campbell CNES
A Anderson WIAA
M Burr, CnES
R Stewart, Job Centre Plus
A Macmillan, VS

Also Present:   C I Maciver (CnES), Iain Macleod (CnES), I Morrison (WIE)  N Jarvie (CoC)                 
 
1. Welcome 

Murdo Maclennan, Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed those present.

2. Minute of meeting held on 24h November 2005

Approval of the minutes was proposed by D Macaulay and seconded by D McKim. 

3. Matters Arising

Item 4 -  Creating Communities of the Future – Action Plan Update
D Macaulay confirmed key partners have met to review the Action Plan, and are progressing amendments. It was agreed the Action Plan should be submitted to the March meeting of the Community Planning Partnership for updating on progress.

Item 6  - Branding Project
Consultants presented to interested parties on January 24th and the funding package for the first phase of the project is expected to be in place in March.

Item 8 – Who Cares Wins
D Macaulay confirmed progress to date, and that a funding package would be approved shortly.

4. Western Isles Enterprise Business Plan 2006/07

Iain Morrison spoke to the draft Business Plan for 2006/07, which was submitted to HIE at the end of January. Members endorsed the Plan and agreed to provide further feedback directly to WIE within the next two weeks. Specific mention was made of the importance of the Arts sector to the area, and the extent of capacity building within the proposed Credit Union for the area.

5. Lews Castle : Update

Iain Macleod provided an update on progress with the consultants’ report on future use of the A-listed landmark. Proposals include provision of a mixed use facility with a hotel and museum at a cost of £7.3M. Consultation is ongoing, and meetings are to take place with likely key funders in the near future. The Lews Castle Steering Group is pleased with progress to date, and the increasing possibility of restoration of an important community asset. Members discussed the challenges inherent within the project and the risks relating to cost over-runs in a project of this nature. The initiative to re-develop the facility was welcomed by members.

6.  Lochboisdale Harbour Development

Members were provided with information on the private sector proposal for the development of Lochboisdale harbour area to provide infrastructure for business and leisure use.  This ambitious proposal would help re-vitalise the ferry port, and feasibility work would continue to define project scope and content.

In this context D McKim highlighted progress with EU funding for the 7 year period post 2006 and the ongoing consultation process. A possible budget for the Highlands & Islands area of £150m would likely be allocated £100m ERDF and £50m ESF. It was confirmed the LEF would be able to participate in a later stage of the consultation process. Members were encouraged to consider local priorities and aspirations in relation to EU Programmes, given the scale of potential investment.

7. Aquaculture Industry Update

Members noted the report provided by WIAA at the last meeting, and agreed to carry forward discussion to the next meeting as Alan Anderson was unable to attend on this occasion.
 
8. Area Tourism Partnership Plan

Members noted the draft Action Plan provided, and were informed that this would be finalised by the Strategy Group on 28th February after consultation. Members were asked to submit any comment direct to Angus Macmillan of Visit Scotland prior to that date.

9. Renewable Energy – National Interest

C I Maciver spoke to the draft report provided, informing members that the Scottish Executive have requested further information on the economic situation in the Outer Hebrides and on the effect on national interest of the large scale renewable energy projects proposed. It was deemed appropriate to look at scenarios which encompassed the overall sustainability of the islands, focussing on the fundamental challenges of population decline and economic growth. The next stage of the process will be to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information provided, establishing broad consensus and determining the required date of response. Members endorsed the draft report, and agreed to provide any further comment and input directly to C I Maciver during March.

10. Renewable Energy – Impact of Community Benefit Payments

C I Maciver highlighted that this report focuses on the likely impact of community revenues generated from the two major wind-farm applications, showing the potential creation of 50 jobs per annum from this alone. Members’ input on the report to be sent to the Scottish Executive was requested. Members asked that the documents be presented to the Community Planning Partnership in a condensed form for information and input, and also that wider consultation should be progressed. The potential for de-designation of certain types of conservation area was also highlighted.

11. Business Advantage Review

CnES are undertaking a review of their business support services to determine the most appropriate deployment of resources beyond June 2006, ensuring complementary service provision alongside other providers. C I Maciver stated that this has been brought to members’ attention for information, and that consultants will contact all LEF members directly for comment and input.

12. AOCB

John Hay agreed to contact Chamber of Commerce members to seek their input on future agenda items.

The next meeting is scheduled to be held on 11th May 2006