Western Isles Local Economic Forum                  

Note of meeting held on Thursday 28th February 2002, WIE Boardroom

Present: M MacLennan and D Macaulay (WIE) 
                R Murray and B Howat (CnES)
                A MacMillan (WITB)
                D Kinnaird (CoC)
                B Stewart (ES)
                D Green (LCC)
  
Also present:  C I MacIver (WIE)

1. Welcome and Apologies     

M MacLennan opened the meeting and welcomed those present.  Apologies were relayed from O P Krabberod (AF), B Adam (CoC) and D McKim (CnES).     

2. Note of Meeting held on 17th January 2002

A typographical error in regard to B Howat was noted.

B Howat noted an addition to the first item under Matters Arising.  It was agreed to amend the minute to read as follows: "B Howat provided an update in regard to CnES’s Project Initiation process.  The process resulted in twelve new projects being added to the Comhairle’s capital allocation and the capital budget being fully allocated to April 2004."

With these amendments the note of the meeting was agreed.   

3. Matters Arising     

No matters arising.

4. Action Plan

C I MacIver confirmed that the WI LEF Addendum Plan had been forwarded as required by 1st February.  No formal feedback had been received in regard to the Addendum, but it was noted that the "Progress on Forum Action Plans" paper presented at the HIE area Ministerial Taskforce outlined good progress being made.  

C I MacIver overviewed progress in regard to the various tasks requiring to be completed by 31 March.  Although significant work requires to be undertaken to allow some of the tasks to be completed, forum members were confident that tasks will be completed by target dates.

A paper was provided in regard to Action 6 - Potential for a Single Point of Contact and was addressed by A MacMillan.  The headline points of the paper were outlined as:

•  The paper and recommendations were developed after interview with LEF members
•  Funding presently available through WIE and CnES should not be pooled
•  Preferred delivery mechanism is a "one-stop-shop" located within WIE  
•  WIE and CnES staff should be located together to improve service
•  An indicative implementation plan was provided.

The Forum discussed the paper and agreed that the key principles contained within it were correct.  Delivery mechanisms and areas of detail were discussed, but it was agreed that the achievement of consensus on the headline principles should be the priority.  To progress it was agreed that comments on the Paper would be fed back to A MacMillan by Friday 8th March.  Upon collation of comments A MacMillan will convene a meeting of WIE and CnES management to agree how best to progress.

The meeting agreed to pursue other Action Points within the Plan as follows:

Action Point 7 - A Local Economic Strategic Framework. Agreed this should be progresed by C I MacIver and D McKim

Action Point 8 - Strategy for Devolution of National and European Programmes. The Western Isles HISTP Group was requested to address this issue on behalf of the WI LEF 

Action Point 9 - Develop a consultative forum in regard to agency services. LEF members agreed this should be progressed by the Chamber of Commerce.

Action Point 10 - Measure agency input to local economic development services. WIE (C I MacIver) to progress and inputs to reflect current year’s budgets.

Action Point 11 - Rationalisation Strategy for inter-agency Working Groups. LEF members agreed the local approach should assume "finite lifetime" groups. Lews Castle College to progress.

5. Joint Bid Document      

B Howat provided an update in regard to the recent launch of the "Western Isles - Creating Communities of the Future" document.  The document had been forwarded to politicians and other interested parties.  A key date is the proposed visit by the First Minister on 22 April 2002, when a presentation of the specifics of the document would be undertaken.  The forum was reminded that the document should play a key role in the future development of individual organisations plans and strategies.

6. Energy Issues   

B Howat noted two developments: progress with the DTI wave stations and the beginning of the second phase of the sub-sea cable project. 

D Green noted a strategic need for the area to understand the learning and training needs arising from future renewable energy investments.  Co-ordination was noted as being of immense importance and the potential role of the Western Isles Alternative & Renewable Energy Partnership (WIAREP) was noted.

7. Press Issues

No new issues.

8. Date of Next Meeting

 As per the schedule, the next meeting is programmed for April 11th. 

9. AOCB

R Murray outlined concerns in regard to the HIE paper on a single entry point for services, particularly its emphasis on HIE and the Enterprise Network. 

D Macaulay outlined that notification had been received in regard to a successful bid by Western Isles, Skye & Lochalsh Local Action Group in regard to LEADER + and that a sum of £2.5m had been allocated to the area.  A business plan will be submitted to the Scottish Executive for 29th March and it is hoped that implementation of the programme can begin shortly afterwards.

 R Murray expressed disappointment at the out-turn of CnES’s bid to the Scottish Executive under the Better Neighbourhoods Services Fund (BNSF).  CnES’s ambition had been to place development workers in a targeted number of geographic localities in order to generate economic benefits.  BNSF has, however, been limited to social provision targeted on specific client groups.