Western Isles Local Economic Forum                  

Note of meeting held on Thursday 11th April 2002, WIE Boardroom

Present: D Macaulay (WIE)  
             R Murray and B Howat (CnES) 
             B Stewart (ES)
             D Green (LCC)
             B Adam (CoC)
             C Engebretsen (FSB)
             O P Krabberod (AF),
  
Also present:  C I MacIver (WIE) and D McKim (CnES)

1.  Welcome and Apologies     

In the absence of M MacLennan, R Murray was nominated to chair the meeting. 

R Murray opened the meeting and welcomed those present.  Apologies were relayed from M MacLennan (WIE) and A MacMillan (WITB)

2.  Note of Meeting held on 17th January 2002

D McKim noted an amendment in regard to 6 Energy Issues.  It was agreed to remove the words DTI from the minute.

With that amendment the note of the meeting was agreed.   

3.  Matters Arising     

An update was provided in regard to training matters relating to renewable energy requirements.

4. O. P. Krabberod: Regulatory Bodies           

O. P. Krabberod presented a paper over-viewing the local economic and labour market situation and outlining difficulties experienced with regulatory bodies.  The Forum discussed these issues in depth and agreed that they merited significant attention.  To look at the issues it was agreed to form a sub-group, chaired by O. P. Kraberood to look at the outlined issues.  Membership of the group would initially be comprised of C I MacIver, D McKim, CoC and FSB.  Key tasks for the group would be to create an action plan concentrated both on external bodies and what requires to be done internally.               

5.  Action Plan             

C I MacIver introduced a letter received from the Executive outlining the next steps for the LEF.  In addition to information, the letter sought detail from the LEF in regard to proposed Year 2 tasks.  The LEF discussed and agreed that key Year 2 tasks would be as follows:

•  Continue implementation of Action Plan
•  Promote "Creating Communities of the Future"
•  Help address the regulatory issues facing local businesses.

The Executive letter also discussed Budget Pooling.  It was agreed that the discussion paper outlined in the Executive’s letter would be forwarded to the LEF.  

It was agreed to extend the previous invitation to the Central Support Team to visit Stornoway to attend a meeting of the LEF.

Action 7: Develop a Local Economic Development Strategic Framework
A paper was presented in regard to Action 7.  The proposed framework was based on pre-existing agency documents (in particular "Creating Communities of the Future") and sought to outline the key economic drivers.  The document was discussed in detail by the LEF with the following changes agreed:

• Remove reference to Delivery Mechanisms
• Under the Strengths section of the SWOT analysis add Innovation, Creativity and Entreprenurship. 

The development of an inward migration policy to facilitate returns and the integration of inward migrants was also discussed.

Action 9: Develop a Consultative Forum in Regard to Agency Services
An FSB paper in regard to this action was introduced.  The LEF agreed the paper and asked that FSB to begin implementation.

Action 10: Mechanism to Measure Agency Input
A brief paper outlining the requirements of Audit Scotland was introduced for information.  WIE and CnES will extract the relevant information and will forward to the Executive. 

6. LEADER + Business Plan

The Plan was introduced for information.  It was agreed to add marine resources and marine skills to the strengths section of the SWOT analysis.  Innovative methods of creating community income streams were also discussed - an example of Crown Estate rentals being paid to the local community to fund purchase of local fisheries quota / licenses was outlined.

7. BNSF                   

A paper on BNSF was introduced for information.                     

8. Visiting Cruise Ships

The potential economic spin-off from visiting cruise ships was discussed.  The potential for improved co-ordination to ensure best advantage was achieved from visiting ships was discussed.  The LEF agreed to ask WITB to co-ordinate the following:

•  A schedule to be provided to local businesses with dates of visiting ships
•  A brief plan to be developed outlining the opportunities in regard to visiting ships.

9. Energy Issues

B Howat reminded the LEF that renewable energy was a key element within "Creating Communities of the Future".  The document would be circulated to all Community Planning partners and an Action Plan would shortly be developed.

B Howat informed the LEF that the CnES Convenor would be making a key speech at an up-coming energy conference.  The conference will be attended by Energy Minister, Brian Wilson and therefore offers a good opportunity to speak about local renewable energy development and "Creating Communities of the Future".

10. Press Issues

It was agreed that a press release should be issued subsequent to each meeting of the LEF.

11. Date of Next Meeting

As per the schedule, the next meeting is programmed for May 23rd.

12. AOB

As there was no further business R Murray thanked O P Krabberod for his presentation and closed the meeting.