Initiative at the Edge – North Isles Ltd

Minutes from the Meeting held on 21^st August 2007

In Unit2, Sellafirth at 6.45pm

Present:                                                                                                          In Attendance:

Robert Jamieson                                    Lesley Gray                                            Michelle Morris

Minnie Mouatt                                        Cheryl Jamieson                                    John Laughland

Roger Brimacombe                                 Gordon Thomson                                   Jackie Smiles

1)       Apologies

James Rendell                                                                                                    Julie Thomson

Paul Gill                                                                                                            Fiona Stirling

2)       Minutes

Minutes for 27^th June 2007 approved by Gordon Thomson and Roger Brimacombe.

§         Minnie noted that under item 3.1 (Local Enterprise) she wanted to expand that the suggestion for a visiting Inspirational Speaker was brought up by the group involved and not by Minnie personally.

3)       Matters arising                

Minnie handed over to Michelle to go through the update for the Development Plan needed for funding for next year. The following main points were noted under each heading for the IatE NI Development Plan and Key Project Oct 07 – Sept 08 :

Services

§         Local organisation – IatE NI job to provide support and lobby community councils etc

§         Housing – surveys in process and will meet when completed to update for IatE

§         Updates – IatE using NI Community Newsletter, Shetland Times (NI Column) and website. Sellafirth Unit Launch with updates and presentations in progress.   Michelle noted two new members have joined via the website. Minnie suggested it would help if the Directors provided news items/reports that could be put on the website.

§         Planning/Development – Michelle to email the list of community groups to send updates when completed. List available from NICWO.

Transport & Infrastructure

§         Shetland Transport Strategy – IatE NI can help influence and support needs through this body.

§         Marinas/Piers – IatE need to keep aware of what’s happening to date to work with existing groups.

Young People

§         Enterprise Exchange/Youth Projects – Lesley and Anne O’Neil from Unst went on return trip to Norway to follow up on this and Lesley to meet with Michelle and Minnie for full report. Lesley looking into funding for a Youth Exchange scheme. Youth Project courses for 1^st Aid, Babysitting, Momentum Driving, Outdoor activities done over summer with nearly 50 youths. Lesley suggested a presentation evening for the young folk who took part. Lesley and Michelle to meet to discuss funding still to spend.

Tourism

§         NI Trails – John Laughland started work as NI Trails Development Worker on 15^th August and had initial meetings with Michelle and Fiona. John has some new suggestions to add to the initial Trails project but will concentrate first on one specific Trail for visitors promoting tourist interests and hopes this could become one several branch for a core Trail.

§         Establish sub groups - best to encourage folk to work together and explore joint marketing ventures. During talks it was agreed that staff from VisitShetland Tourist Office need to better informed about the North Isles and it was suggested that VisitShetland could organise an out of season trip for staff to the NI. Michelle noted their Shetland Guide 2008 is being put together now and they should be aware of what is available first hand. It was also agreed there is a real need for a part time Tourism Development Officer for the NI. Gordon did not receive positive feedback when enquiring about visiting Unst at the VisitShetland office in May this year and no leaflets for Unst were available at that time. It was also noted the latest SAT brochure is entitled “Yell – Gateway to the northern isles” which doesn’t encourage folk to stay in Yell. Robert noted there is a very good DVD available starting with Unst and

Tourism

Yell available from the Heritage Centre in Unst.  Lesley noted there are no weather proof timetables at bus shelters.

§         New facilities – this is ongoing. Noted Community Councils can lobby on behalf of the community. Gordon suggested changing the wording of the Development Plan at this item to say “Encourage projects and business opportunities….” rather than “Facilitate project and business…”

Business and Employment

§         Remote working – Hot Desk facility at IatE NI Office in progress.

§         Communications in NI – Yell Community Council and Yell Health Support Group are currently promoting the need to contact Vodafone directly regarding poor or no reception in certain areas to justify new the need for new masts. Fetlar CC been advised a new company hope to add to the existing masts for better coverage.

§         Childcare – Cheryl noted this was on the original Development Plan under Services. There is a real need for funding/resources for after-school childcare. Cheryl has queried why this does not currently come under the HIE remit for the extra funding given to Unst for ‘exceptional circumstances’ as the NI are struggling with lack of childcare facilities and needs encouraged. Lesley asked if funding from the Youth Projects could be used for a Child Care project, Michelle advised would have to fit into the strict criteria for ROA funding.

Environment & Land Use

§         Info on Land Use – Michelle updating with Crofters Commission

§         Recycling – SIC are currently reviewing their facilities in the NI. Jackie will update Recycling Information Sheet when SIC finalised changes.

§         Local Food Produce – Michelle currently working on report from study visit to Highlands to local food producers to see different methods and marketing of organic produce.

Developing IatE NI as a robust and sustainable organisation

§         Board roles and responsibilities – Minnie working on skills audit for Directors. It was agreed to have Directors meetings every second month (dates to be confirmed) as new office in Sellafirth manned Mon to Fri and Directors able to access information and updates any time. Summary budgets sheet currently sent with agendas and breakdown of each project given to directors dealing with that particular project, updates available on request.  Organisational Health Check to be completed by all directors.

§         After IatE NI status finish – Hughie Donaldson advised today that IatE trying to get new areas set up for this status but current groups can re-apply for a two year extension if wanting to go further forward. Michelle to do short report to put case forward for IatE NI two year extension at end of current status. Development Group Day on 15^th September at Cullivoe (details to follow) with workshop with Lorne McLeod, Advisor and Facilitator fro IatE on Community Enterprise Projects. 

§         Sellafirth Unit – workers now in office Mon-Fri and two Hot Desk bookings so far. Michelle put bid in for launch of new unit and the Development Plan Update.

During further talks the main points were raised:

§         IatE National Conference 2007 – held this year in Barra from 12-13^th September. Michelle unable to go as clashes with Development Day Meeting. Workshops this year are on volunteering and project management and Michelle has already courses on both. No one else able to attend.

§         Roger concerned over the wording of ‘North Isles’ as promoting three separate islands and should promote the NI as one area. It was generally agreed this needs to be promoted in a new way.

§         Robert noted good feedback from visitors to NI but more promotion and advertising still needs to be done to encourage folk from mainland Shetland to visit. Yell Sound ferries could be used for advertising and DVD from Heritage Centre could be played on TV screens on ferries too.

§         All agreed Paul Gill’s previous suggestion to do a promotional DVD on NI with Fetlar schoolchildren a good idea and should be pursued.

§         Folk need to contact the NI Community Work Office with information for the NI What’s On which is updated monthly.

4)       Date of next meeting

Agreed for Tuesday 30^th October at the end of the October School holidays. Directors meet on 15^th September for Development Day Meeting.