AGM Minutes January 08

AGM requires three directors step down and can be re-elected. IatE NI requires a minimum of three directors but no maximum. Cheryl Jamieson, Gordon Thomson formally stepped down as directors not to be re-elected after completing two terms with IatE NI. James Rendell also stepped down by absence as not attended any meetings for more than six consecutive months as per Memorandum and Articles of IatE NI.

4. Appoint new directors

Dan declined the proposals for directors due to other commitments. The remaining directors are:

Minnie Mouatt Paul Gill Roger Brimacombe

Robert Jamieson Lesley Gray

s Ross Gazey (Unst) was nominated by Laura Baisley and Seconded by Sarah McBurnie.

s Laurence Robertson (Unst) verbally agreed to being nominated by Gordon Thomson and was then seconded by Laura Baisley, subject to Laurence’s written acceptance. Gordon took forms for membership and director with Companies House for Laurence to complete and return.

It was suggested to contact Fetlar Community Council to promote a vacancy for a director from Fetlar.

5. Appoint Chairperson

It was agreed to wait until the next director’s meeting when more members able to be present for a Chair and Vice Chair to be nominated. Minnie Mouatt is still acting Chairperson until then.

6. Minutes of AGM 2007

The minutes from the AGM held on 17^th January 2007 were approved by Robert Jamieson and Gordon Thomson. Laura noted the excellent progress to date for projects from the last AGM.

7. AOCB

1) Annual Report - Michelle gave out copies for Year 2007 and brief update on projects:

I. Motivation for Local Enterprise – this is the only project completed and finalised to date and was agreed to have been a good success with at least one new craft business in Unst to come from being involved in this. Members present got a brief update on the exchange visits between Norway and Shetland over the past two years to encourage local entrepreneurs and Minnie noted

funding agencies are still in favour of doing similar projects with new LEADER funding. Andy Ross attended a Craft Council Collect conference in London last year with this funding and

7. AOCB

reported he has received three bookings for courses at the Centre for Creative Industries, Sellafirth from contacts from this conference. Andy also noted the textile student working from Sellafirth last year has decided to stay in Scotland in response to the great support shown from Shetland – this will prove important to the Scottish Arts Council who will be encourage to keep up funding with this type of success. Andy agreed to work with Michelle for a short report on this follow up to put onto IatE NI website and North Isles Column for The Shetland Times from IatE NI perspective for the benefit of funders and public alike).

II. NI Trails - John gave a summary to date noting this project will start with a one general and one specific Trail for NI, leaflet to be finalised with maps and details of local attractions. It is hoped that several other, more special interest trails will then branch off from this once it is established.

III. Hot Desk Facility, Sellafirth – this project started in October 2007 and has several regular users to date as well as meeting room hire. The official launch date to be confirmed.

IV. Local Food Production – this is just starting to be developed now, further to the study visit to the Scottish Highlands last year and Pete Glanville, Secretary, Shetland Organic Producers Group to be confirmed to come to NI to give a presentation in the near future. Sarah McBurnie updated on the NI Farmers Market noting how much it has grown in the past year with the first Yell market starting with six tables of produce to the last market with 25 tables which included any local produce, not just food. Unst markets will also include other producers from now on all agreed it is more beneficial to include all local producers and not keep just to food. Dates to be finalised for 2008 on Sundays once monthly for Unst and Yell (staggered to allow two weeks between each market) which will be advertised locally with posters and leaflets.

2) What Next for IatE NI?

Funding until September 2009 now been confirmed giving a further two year extension to the original three year project to bring in line with other new IatE projects which are now being started on a five year funding plan.

3) LEADER funding

Laura noted that funding available from March 2008 is aimed at Remote Working, Arts and Crafts among others and the NI’s are still recognised an area that requires special support.

4) Financial Update

Latest budget sheet handed out to all present and available from IatE NI office on request.

5) Housing Issues

Michelle, Fiona Stirling and Robert Thomson meeting with Hjatland Housing Association next week to discuss housing needs in NI. Laura noted SIC looking at a ‘master plan’ for future housing in Gulberwick which would be a good opportunity for IatE Ni to link with this as SIC as Planning Dept doesn’t have enough staff to cover and might need to contract out for admin. There was much further discussion on this issue.

6) Change of Organisational Structure to Charity Status

Minnie, Gordon, Lesley, Robert, Michelle and Jackie attended training earlier today and it was generally agreed that the best option for IatE NI would be to change to Company Ltd by guarantee with Charitable Status and change to Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) when this comes into place in 2009. Michelle and Jackie will investigate this further and report back to directors.

9. Date of next meeting

s Tuesday 12^th February was provisionally set, to be confirmed.

10. Action points

Action	Who	Timescale
3) Co House forms completed for termination of directors	Jackie	ASAP
4) Co House forms completed (and induction packs) set date for induction of new directors	Jackie Michelle/Jackie	ASAP ASAP
6) Look into change of status for IatE NI and report	Michelle/Jackie	ASAP