NCDC
MINUTE
A meeting of NCDC was held on: Monday 5th July at 7.30pm, Greenbrae, South Collafirth, Ollaberry
Present – John Alex Cromarty, Alistair Williamson, Margaret Roberts, Jane Brown, Malcolm Thomson, Pete Bevington, Drew Ratter
In Attendance – Colin Dickie, Bill Manson, Maree Hay
1. Apologies – Alastair Cooper, Addie Doull
2. Approval of Minute – Minute of meeting held on Wednesday 2nd June 2010. Approved – M Roberts, Seconded – Drew Ratter
3. Matters Arising
It was agreed to leave matters arising, not otherwise covered by the agenda, until the end.
4. Budget/Current Financials
Directors were shown details of the current financial position of the company.
5. Hillswick Development
A) Shop Update
Hillswick Shop Ltd has recently returned £8025 to NCDC funds. This payment covers fixtures and fittings paid for by the NCDC before the shop bank account was in place and takes account of donations made to the shop by the community and a front door that was purchased by Hillswick Shop Ltd. It was also noted that the capital invested by NCDC would be repaid by the shop when funds allowed. As part of this repayment the board of Hillswick shop plan to replace the flat area of the shop roof. Directors agreed the cost of replacement would be deducted from the capital investment figure.
B) Large store
The planning application has been completed and will be lodged when specification of the roofing sheets has been ascertained.
Action – Maree
Pete Bevington attended.
C) House
Directors agreed to formally accept a quote for replacement of windows, exterior door, dormor repairs and replacement of plasterboard in a bedroom. It was also agreed to undertake pipe replacement works at the same time. It was agreed to aim to put the property back on the rental market in October. Rent was discussed.
Action – Maree
6. Hamefarin trip – North Mainland
NCDC helped organise the North Mainland tour for this years' hamefarers. Visitors were pleased with the package of tour guides, music, dance, food and craft stalls and the effort of volunteers in the community was noted.
7. Planning application – J & P Bevington
P Bevington declared and interest and took no part in the discussion. NCDC received neighbour notification that J & P Bevington have applied to demolish an old shed in the grounds of the Booth. After discussion, the board agreed to send a letter of support for the application.
Action - Maree
8. Cultural Exchange
The community of Leka in Norway has approached the NCDC regarding a possible cultural exchange next summer. They have received funding to allow them to travel to Shetland with a theatre group/choir. Previously, they approached NCDC to enquire whether the Jarl's squad would like to attend Leka as part of their Viking Festival. Directors suggested Maree contacts next years' Jarl, Ian Nicolson.
Action – Maree
9. Mossbank hall assistance
NCDC has been asked to facilitate paid work with Mossbank hall committee. It was agreed a scope of works and a definite timescale for the works should be prepared.
Action – Maree
10. Community Retail Network – paid assistance
NCDC has been asked to undertake work to help prepare a start-up guide for community shops. Directors agreed this was a worthwhile project and noted that Northmavine had two very good examples of community shops as case studies. The shops also highlighted the different legal structures.
11. Community Powerdown Officer Report
A) Energy Savings Trust
EST are about to undertake a Shetland-wide home insulation scheme. This will mean a need for a number of people to carry out energy audits. C Dickie felt this was something Powerdown could undertake. Directors suggested Colin find out the fine detail of the proposal. It was noted that a similar project in the Western Isles, required 15 auditors.
B) Scottish and Southern Energy
SSE has applied for funding to look at the use of smart meters and grid stabilisation. Directors felt this proposal had potential and Colin should keep in touch with SSE.
Action – Colin
C) Polytunnels and Climate Challenge Fund
Colin told the meeting that Margaret Hood from the Climate Challenge Fund had recently been to Northmavine to carry out an audit on the polytunnel project, as funders. Ms Hood had been impressed with what she saw.
Directors asked for a progress update on the construction of the polytunnels and whether the target for completion by the end of August was still a possibility. It was noted that the contractor was engaged in other works but should be available within the next few weeks. Members stressed the importance and urgency of completing the project before the funding deadline. Colin will meet with the contractor. Additional resources may be available from the Powerdown underspend to assist project completion.
Action – Colin
D) Business Plan
Due to work with the polytunnel project, the nortenergy business plan has yet to be completed. Colin will make this a priority when time allows.
It was agreed that the renewables sub group needs to meet next week. Colin to e-mail members with possible dates.
Action – Colin
E) Hydro Project
Directors were disappointed to note that the progress of the potential hydro project for Northmavine was now well behind the original timetable. Information regarding the future of the project has been difficult to gather. Directors asked that Colin contact Patrick Ross Smith at Community Energy Scotland, who are funding the project, for a full update. The board felt that if clarification cannot be obtained from CES regarding the future of this project, further action may be necessary.
Action Colin with input from Margaret
12. Matters Arising
NCDC Staff wages
After much discussion it was agreed that internet banking should be set up to pay staff wages. Directors who are current cheque signatories will then authorise the payments. It was agreed that Malcolm will carry out quarterly audits, as treasurer.
Westside Development Day
A presentation by NCDC is no longer required.
HIE Survey
The deadline for the community confidence survey has now passed. A report should be available from Sneddon Economics at the end of July.
13. Projects
Mavis Grind
Due to volume of work, this project is not a priority at the moment, but will progress when time allows.
Action – Maree
Collafirth toilets
Maree is currently looking at sources of funding.
Action – Maree
Website
A number of local businesses have donated towards the upkeep of the website this will go a long way towards paying for website updates.
Rural home for rent
The planning application has now been lodged and the outcome should be known within the next few weeks.
14. AOCB
Geocaching – Ollaberry School
Directors were shown a leaflet produced by the enterprise company at Ollaberry School. Everyone agreed this was a great project. Maree will speak to the pupil council with a view to highlighting geocaching in Shetland on the Northmavine website and writing a piece for the North Mainland Notes. P Bevington hopes to write an article for the Shetland News website.
Action – Maree
Hillswick hall refurbishment
NCDC has received a letter from the hall committee asking for a letter of support for their refurbishment programme. Directors agreed that the hall played an important part in the community and Maree was asked to compile a letter.
Action – Maree
DTAS Contract
NCDC commissioned member contract with DTAS will be reviewed in March 2011.
Transition Town – Northmavine
Following an approach from community members, directors discussed the idea of looking into the implementation of a transition town group in Northmavine. Transition Towns aim to become a low carbon community. Directors felt this ethos fitted in well with the Powerdown aims in Northmavine and that an inspirational speaker should be invited to the area to ascertain whether there was interest in forming a local group. Someone who spoke at the Shetland food conference was suggested.
Training courses are available and there is interest locally in attending these, possibly in September.
Action – Maree and Pete
15. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Monday 2nd August 2010, 7.30pm at Greenbrae.