INITIATIVE AT THE EDGE
NORTHMAVINE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 18 April 2005 at 7.30p.m. at Ollaberry Office
Present: Margaret Roberts, Alistair Williamson, Ronnie Johnson, Ivor Johnson
Pat Christie
Sarah Dell, Maureen Stewart
In Attendance: Alan MacDonald, Fiona Cope
1. Apologies
Geoff Bevan, Jane Thomas, John Alex Cromarty
2. Website Presentation
Item 4 was brought forward. Alan Macdonald and Fiona Cope were thanked for coming. The Group agreed that the proposal was a good concept with a broad scope. The Website was then discussed and questions answered:
· Start small and add on pages
· £1,500 approximately to set up then initial 3 year maintenance costs
· Sustainability of project needs to be written into funding applications
· First page should be eye catching and easy to read
· Fiona to submit a quote for setting initial pages, cost of additional pages
· Need another quote
· Small Working Group to be formed from and led by the community
· Apply to Community Council for running costs after first year (Year 1 - development of site)
· Worker could feed in minutes and Group would check contents
· Links and key words essential
· First stage: get funding - Pat & Sarah to liase
3. Minutes of the last Meeting
Accepted
4. Matters Arising
a. Report Back on Crofting and Housing Meeting: Jane had done article for the paper
b. Training for Committee: Sarah, Pat, Elspeth and Jane (from the North Isles) to meet on 10th May at Fetlar to discuss this. Committee requested training on Committee roles, running a company, charitable status. Sarah currently looking at getting training through the Community Land Unit who offer many different training opportunities
c. Charitable Status: for future action
d. Supporting Agencies Role: Shetland Regeneration had met and Emma Perring is checking the structures to link in better with Community Planning
e. Options for Office Accommodation: The Group need to look at the possible locations e.g. North Roe, Ollaberry or Urafirth. Put item on next Agenda
f. Administration Post: Lara to forward job description for SIC Community Work Administration Post. Item to be put on next agenda
g. Start Up Costs: Contact Jennifer/Linda at Economic Development. Future Builders closed for applications until end of June
h. Development Plan Update: Plan starts from November 04. Need to get Action Plan finalised next for £10.000 seed corn funding
i. Design for Glossy: Colin has photos, text, map, plan outline etc. Pat to meet with him tomorrow to discuss
j. Westray Trip: Pat had been and submitted report to the Group via email
k. First Steps into Community Enterprise: Keep on agenda
l. Newsletter: Out. Items for next newsletter please to coincide with launch. Jane to do Crofting Focus Group. Pat to do Westray Trip. Disc to go to IATE and Shetland enterprise for websites
5. 4 x 4 Project
Davy Murray had asked for a letter of support for this project in principle from the Group. The Group agreed this. Margaret to draft a letter
6. “Lighthouse” Funding
A grant of £2,000 has been approved from this body for the costs of producing the glossy version of the Development Plan and also a social function bringing people together to discuss the Plan
Need photo “summing up the area” and 200 words text for the website. Pat to put piece in Drew’s column asking for photos and offering a small prize.
7. Treasury & Budget
Bob Hollyoak has offerd to do 4 checks in the year over the budget for £500.00. This was proposed by Margaret Roberts and agreed by Alistair Williamson. Bob would also like to attend meetings.
The role of treasurer might be added to the Administration post. Also payroll. Sarah to check funding conditions on this
8. Development Plan Launch
Sunday 29th May as Tavish Scott is not available until then: proposed Margaret Roberts and seconded Alistair Williamson. Pat to check which halls are available and get back to the committee. The group may be able to help a local group in the area fund Sunday Teas, still want ribbon, invite Community Planning to do presentation, Sam Harcus, Westary Developmet Trust and Hughie Donaldson, IATE Co-ordinator to be invited. Advertise in newsletter as well as media
9. Support for Worker
Alistair Williamson and Ronnie Johnson volunteered as the Group representatives. Pat agreed to this. Margaret Roberts proposed and Ivor Johnson seconded this
10. Locations for Premises
Keep on agenda
11. Report on Rural Entrepreneurs: Postponed to next meeting
12. Regeneration Outcome Agreement: Maureen reported that a Scottish Executive funding package of £20,000 would be available for application by each of the four most deprived areas in Shetland. Northmavine was top priority. Emma Perring would contact the Group to help link the Action Plan to the terms of reference in the funding package ensuring Northmavine qualified
13. Projects Update
1. Northmavine Sign: The construction of the sign was now out to tender. Clive Mowatt had been approached regarding costs. Another quote was needed. Funding needs to be looked for. Aggregates Tax Funding might be an option
2. St Magnus Bay Hotel: Margaret had written to the owners explaining that the Group are seeking funding to carry out a structural survey possible in May. This would be a lengthy process. Peter Bardell’s to provide a quote. Need another quote. Sarah, Linda and Margaret to meet regarding potential funding streams and stages of the project. Next stage would be a feasibility study. Community Land Unit a possibility for funds
3. Website: See above
4. North Roe Garden: The Sheepdog Trials have moved from Hillswick to North Roe. They have ground but need fencing and car parking. There may be a possibility of linking funding for both projects through a crofting grant scheme. Jane to look into this
14. AOCB
· Sarah suggested that meeting be split: management, projects, etc. This would mean more focussed meetings that were not as long – hopefully avoiding burnout. Agreements could be made via email. It was agreed that if an email was sent and a reply requested then the email should state; “Reply Requested” and deadline. No response would be taken as approval. Information emails should be marked as “Information Only”. Agendas kept to 10 items or less
· Maureen asked about a date for the AGM. Margaret to contact Bob Hollyoak first regarding the accounts
15. Date of Next Meeting: Wednesday 4 May 2005 at Ollaberry office
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