MINUTES OF LCT BOARD MEETING

Date: Tuesday 31 May

Present:Jennifer HaslamJohn BedwellRuari Matheson

Chris HamiltonGordon MackenzieCarol Smith (Company Secretary)

Apologies:Zoisa WaltonHamish Leslie Melville

  1. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

The minutes of the meeting of 22nd April were approved by JB and seconded by JH. The minutes of the meeting of 29th April were approved by RM and seconded by CH. CH raised a concern that the minutes were succinct and recommended that future minutes should provide more information. This was supported by JB.

  1. MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising

  1. FEEDBACK REPORTS

3.1G&DCC Community Needs Survey

A letter of thanks has been received from G&DCC for the funds provided for the Community Needs Survey. A steering group meeting took place on 11 May 2016. Representatives of Aigas Associates will be available in the Garve Village Hall on the afternoon of the 7 June 2016. A similar drop in event is also being organised to take place in Achnasheen Village Hall - date tbc.
It is hoped the actual survey will take place in late June/early July

3.2Wyvis Playpark

Sharon has received confirmation from the ant specialist that the site is clear. The Forestry Commission has not yet produced the LTA and this will take approximately 2 further weeks due to holidays. A meeting has been arranged with the Forestry Commission on the return of the land agent.

  1. TREASURER’S REPORT

The current available for grants is £150,090 with £82,403 being committed to previous projects. The next fund from Eneco is due on 30 September and is forecast to be £134,938 for grants and £7,397 for administration. The total available for grants following this award from Enecois £261,021, with £69,803 being committed to previous projects, resulting in £191,217 being available for new projects.

  1. GRANT APPLICATIONS

5.1 Defibriliators

Following a discussion it was agreed that the Board would make an application for defibrillators to be placed at various locations in the G&DCC area. CS explained thatdefibriliators had been purchased by the community withinStrathnairn using a company entitled Lucky2Bhere which is charity based in Skye who provide defibrillators for a recommended donation of £2000 per defibrilator. This includes the cost of the product, training, maintenance and spare parts.

ACTION:

  • CS to contact Lucky2Bhere to obtain costs
  • CS to contact Alpin Stewart to confirm that LCT can raise this itself as a proactive application
  • Provided confirmation is received from Alpin Stewart CS to raise the application. It was agreed that the application could be reviewed as soon as it was received rather than waiting for the next funding round due to the immediate benefit that the community could receive
  1. UPDATE CORRIEMOLLIE WINDFARM

A meeting was held between Foundation Scotland (on behalf of EDF) and the G&DCC community to ascertain a response from the community regarding potential community funding from the Corriemollie Windfarm. The attendees were divided into smaller groups with an EDF representative facilitating the discussion on each table. The objective of the discussion was to ascertain how the community wished the fund to be managed and projects to be funded. At the EDF meeting CH suggested to Grant Folley of EDF that EDF and Eneco meet together and make amendments to the Articles of Association if needed. It was initially suggested that HLM (as the landowner for the Lochluichart windfarm) should facilitate this discussion with Eneco. However, JB suggested that rather than the 2 developers it should be Aigas (who are conducting the Community Needs Survery on behalf of the Community Council) and Foundation Scotland (who are ascertaining community need on behalf of EDF).

Action: CS to draft letter to EDF and G&DCC to suggest that Foundation Scotland and Aigas get together to obtain the best option for the community

  1. AGM

7.1 Director Recruitment

CS has sent out posters and contacted all members but to date there has been no applicants for the director role. A question has been raised by Jean Bailey as to whether previously retired directors need to have a year before being reappointed as a director or whether it is at the next AGM. Under the current Articles of Association a director cannot be reappointed until the next AGM but this needs to be checked as changing to the wording is being proposed at the next AGM.

Action: CS to check revised wording

Directors also agreed to talk to members of the community to ascertain if they would be interested.

Action: CS to send a reminder to members of deadline date asking if they or anyone they know is interested.

7.2Scoring Matrix / Funding Guidelines

CH and JB presented the updated scoring matrix, funding guidelines and application form, all of which are now linked. These documents had previously been reviewed and agreed upon by JB/CH /RM /CS. The scoring process has been simplified. The guidance notes contain banding by value. These documents will be presented by JB to members at the AGM for comment. Following the AGM the website will need to be updated.

7.3Wording for Special Resolution

Revised wording for the AGM has been received from Alpin Stewart.

  1. AOCB

8.1 CS has now updated the HMRC corporate tax submission for 2014/15 and there is a tax bill of £3.94 to be paid

8.2 Home Energy Scotland have requested support in publishing information regarding the North 500 Electric Car.

Action: CS to forward email to all members

8.3A request has been received by JH regarding the details of the properties that have received home energy surveys. JB is concerned in CES providing this information due to data protection concerns.

Action: CS to request information from CES, ensuring that Data Protection is adhered to

8.4JB suggested that the grant application timetable be reviewed to allow for more frequent review of applications. GM agreed and explained that it was initially set every 6 months due to expected high level of applications. However it was felt that the application process should be more user friendly with applications being reviewed at the next Board meeting following their submission. It was agreed to put this recommendation to members at the AGM.

8.5JB questioned whether payment details had been received from Lochluichart Community Hall for the renovation undertaken. These details have been provided and will be forwarded to all directors.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Wednesday 22 June at 2pm at Lochluichart Community Hall