Western Isles Local Economic Forum

Note of meeting held on Monday 22nd October 2001, WIE Boardroom

Present:

D MacInnes and D Macaulay (WIE)
B Howat (CnES)
R Stewart (Employment Service)
A MacMillan (WITB)
C Engebretsen (FSB)

Also present: C I MacIver (WIE) and D McKim (CnES)

1. Welcome and Apologies

Duncan MacInnes opened the meeting and welcomed those present. Apologies were relayed from R Murray (CnES), D Green (LCC) and B Adam (CoC)

2. Note of Meeting held on 5h October 2001

The note of the meeting was agreed.

3. Matters Arising

D Macaulay confirmed that the status of the Aquaculture Forum remained as previously reported.

C I MacIver reported that the local SEERAD office had confirmed that they did not hold a fisheries remit. LEF members asked that the Action Plan reflect this, but that the point should be made in regard to SEERAD's national fisheries remit.

4. Action Plan - Third Draft

C I MacIver spoke to the paper. Before introducing he provided members with an overview of the proposed roles and responsibilities of WITB. This paper was reviewed by members and it was agreed to incorporate into the Action Plan.

The main changes and updates in the plan were outlined. These changes revolved around two new targets (the potential for devolution of national services and "one-to-one" contact between agencies and small businesses) and timescale / lead bodies in regard to the delivery of the plan. These updates were discussed and agreed.

Two alterations to the Plan were suggested - a) change of emphasis in Action 2, Economic Framework and b) adding into the Plan targets in regard to the overall impact. Both alterations were discussed and agreed.

Members discussed completion dates and lead bodies attached to the various targets. It was agreed to review the completion dates and seek to achieve a better balance in sharing tasks between the LEF partners.

C I MacIver agreed to incorporate these amendments into the Plan. It was agreed that a final updated version of the Plan would be circulated later that afternoon, with final comments / amendments sought by 25th October. The Action Plan would then be forwarded to the Executive on Monday 29th October.

It was agreed that a press release would be drawn up in support of the submission of the Action Plan.

5. Date of Next Meeting

The Forum agreed to reconvene on Tuesday 4th December. It was agreed that an invitation would be extended to the Central Support Team to attend that meeting.

6. AOB

It was agreed that the HIE / WIE / CnES bid document should be available at the next LEF meeting for discussion.

It was agreed that a schedule of LEF meetings be drawn up covering the year 2002.

As there was no further business the Chairman closed the meeting and thanked those in attendance for their contributions.