Initiative at the Edge – North Isles Ltd

Minutes from the Meeting held on Wednesday 27^th June 2007

at 7.45pm in the Fetlar Public Hall

Present:                                                                                                          In Attendance:

Gordon Thomson

Minnie Mouatt                                                                                                   

Paul Gill                                                                                                            Jackie Smiles

Roger Brimacombe                                                                                            Michelle Morris

1)       Apologies

James Rendell                                                                                                   

Cheryl Jamieson

Robert Jamieson                                                                                               Fiona Stirling

Lesley Gray                                                                                                        Julie Thomson

2)       Minutes

Minutes for 22^nd May 2007 approved by Roger Brimacombe and Minnie Mouatt.

3)       Matters arising from minutes of last meeting                     

1.      Project Updates

§       NI Trails – no successful applicant for original advert, now been re-advertised for a 28 hour week post . Eight applicants to date, interview date set for 9^th July to start on 30^th July if possible.

§       Youth Projects – outdoor activity dates already started. Leaflets with full details of other projects sent out to be returned for final numbers.

§       Local Enterprise (Norway Exchange) – first part of this project now completed. Underspend of £3k to be used for two return visits to Norway following up on the original exchange visit with one representative for the local schools and one for the young folk in the NI. Money has also been allocated for Cheryl to complete a craft course in Scotland to further this venture. Minnie suggested an Inspirational Speaker from Norway to do a presentation on how to help stem the de-population in the NI, Minnie to find out more about this. Minnie and Michelle doing final costing for the three projects noted above. It was noted at this point the Roger has been investigating the twinning of Feda in Norway with Fetlar and Minnie looking into how the next Scotland-Norway project run by Bill Taylor could fit into the IatE NI criteria. Norway is currently doing projects on Viking Parliaments and NI could play an active part if Shetland involved as IatE NI have already been involved with the same folk from the original exchange project.

§       Astroturf Pitch at Saxa Vord – this was discussed at the last meeting of Sport and Physical Activities Area Planning Meeting - Unst, Yell and Fetlar and it was noted to approach the Recreational Trust to take on this pitch. 

§       Transport – Paul noted the current situation with two ferries running in the morning is providing a much better service but this is only a temporary arrangement.

§       NI Newsletter (May 07) – Minnie queried why the latest summer events programme was not up to date. Jackie to contact Julie for further information.

§       Geoparks – During discussion Gordon noted the NI Trails Worker could pick up on the Volcano Trail and Geological Wall at North Mavine and could write to local businesses to help encourage folk to more active in promoting geology in the NI. Minnie suggested Kate Dugan could come to NI for a presentation on the Geopark Status to date.

§       Leaflets for walk in Fetlar – Roger has put maps of local walks into SIC for the new Core Path Plan (Roger Tait main contact).   Minnie noted the NI Trails Worker could develop this more fully. Roger has a stop-gap walking map available from the Interpretive Centre until the new leaflets out.

2.      Sellafirth Business Unit

Robert taken responsibility for checking out the lease and has replied as agreed. Furniture and equipment ordered as budget for £13k grant from HIE Shetland been agreed in principle. This project will be funded for the next two years with hope to carry on as viable business when up and running.

3.      Directors Training ‘Away Day’ – Robert, Cheryl, Minnie, Gordon, Paul, Jackie and Michelle attended and full Report and Action Plan prepared by Kathleen McGrath been distributed to all Directors. Budgets for remainder of this IatE business year and additional 12 months been completed and approved by HIE Shetland. It was noted the Business Unit will have to generate enough income to pay a worker/caretaker after the IatE NI status finishes in October 2008.

4.      Development Day Meeting – now rescheduled for 15^th September and Michelle emphasised the importance of IatE NI Directors attending. Minnie noted the possibility of long-term contacts with Norway following on from the Local Enterprise Exchange Project.

5.      Local Food Production Study Visit to Highlands  - Michelle to accompany one representative from Yell, Fetlar and Shetland Organic Growers Group (SOGG) on this study visit on 1^st July to see first hand the different set ups for community groups to grow local produce and how this can be applied to Shetland. Michelle will give a full report for next meeting. Minnie noted Pete Glanville from SOGG could be invited to do a presentation on organic food production in the NI.

4)       Finance/Funding

1.       Community Involvement Funding 2006 – there is a £130 underspend from the ‘Gie it a Go’ days project from last year which has to be spent under the original agreement for Adult Learning. Roger suggested events could be held to learn the game of Hnefertafel (a Viking board game) as taught by Peter Kelly (Fetlar). To be confirmed for next meeting.

2.       Budget sheets – Jackie to forward completed budget sheets for remainder of IatE Status to all directors.

5)    AOCB

1.       Holiday dates - Michelle will be on holiday from 11^th July and back to work on Monday 30^th July.

2.       IatE NI Website – Michelle noted the first member to join via the website this week. Minnie has photo’s and updates for the ‘Latest News’ items on the website. Michelle advised she has to go via the trainer to get onto this page as it is for the Shetland Community Portal as a whole not just IatE NI.

3.       Fetlar Visitors Survey – Minnie advised an exit questionnaire for visitors to the whole NI could be placed on ferries on Yell Sound, Fetlar Interpretative Centre, local shops etc. Paul suggested ferry staff could hand out and collect forms on return trips.

4.       STEP Student (Shell Sponsorship_ – one applicant based in Lerwick, none from NI. Michelle to contact student and investigate further. £1k has been budgeted for STEP student from Youth Projects budget.

5.       Stationary Packs for Directors - it was noted informally after the meeting that Jackie could prepare a stationary pack for each directors with paper, ink etc as all contact currently done by email and directors paying for printing of all documents. 

6)    Meeting Dates

Michelle suggested that meeting could be held every second month to allow more time between meetings for projects to be completed with more to report on. Once Sellafirth unit up and running it will be easier for directors to make point of contact on a regular basis with workers and all information available at the one place. Next meeting date to be decided.

7)    Action Points