March 2009

John gave update on progress of webpage for NI Trails on Shetland Community Portal. He has put on the printed brochures as well as other walks that he had gathered information on when researching the original brochures and included a photo gallery. This is now in the final editing stages and should go live online in the next few weeks.

Tourism

I@tE NI have joined the Shetland Tourist Association on annual subscription. There was a short discussion on the changes on funding between SIC and VisitShetland and all agreed this should be for the better.

Wind Dog Café – Community Buyout

Michelle researching this and gave update. HIE have appointed an advisor to help prepare a business plan, the last three year’s accounts checked and noted this is a viable option. The Community Land Unit should help with the cost of a valuation for the property. It was agreed the café should be kept as is an asset to the community and would present a good opportunity to promote local food produce and crafts etc. Various ideas and options were discussed with a positive outlook. The next stage is to finalise the business plan (this has been on hold while Michelle working on the I@tE NI Business Plan to submit for funding) then undertake a full survey for the building. Ross noted that owning premises may cause technical difficulties for directorships and advised to find out now before completing the business plan. Michelle will keep directors up to date with progress as it happens.

Remote Working Office

Pathfinder proposed to be live by April this year

Advertising in place on Shetland News website for six months

Training – Michelle researching how to provide CPC Driver Training from Unit 2, what qualifications required

etc. The approvals for trainers and centre for provision are over £4.5k and looking into funding for this viaSIC

Economic Development Unit. Agreed this could be a good opportunity as no approved centre currently in

Shetland.

Income – I@tE NI can now provide printing and binding service and will advertise to all NI development groups

and businesses that have to submit business plans etc. Noted we should advertise as Business Support

Services.

.2 Future Funding for I@tE NI & Business Plan

Michelle and Jackie met with Fiona Stirling and Ian Muir of HIE earlier this month to discuss how to put a business plan together to submit for funding to continue I@tE NI after September 2009. Michelle gave out draft copies of this plan as waiting on feedback from Ian Muir before submitting final version. The funding sourced would allow £38k for 2009/10 (£20k from Fairer Scotland, £15k from SIC and £3k from I@tE NI). We have been advised by HIE that Fetlar are also bidding for funding for their own Development Worker and funders won’t look favourably on financing two development groups in the North Isles. The I@tE

Business Plan therefore has to reflect this and notes that we would want to work in synergy with Fetlar as aware Fetlar has different needs and have been unable to be involved in past I@tE projects due to various circumstances. There was much discussion and it was agreed this would require a change of name and constitution if I@tE NI receives funding to continue. The main focus for the future would be key projects on: The Wind Dog Cafe; Tourism; Youth and Training. Michelle will speak to Shetland College re more training courses and local businesses regarding apprenticeships for young folk. The suggestion to restart a NI News(paper) was again discussed and noted this could be done online with printed copies only on request and agreed is a good way of focusing on and promoting positive news and ideas. Directors taken draft copies of business plan and get back to Michelle asap with any changes/suggestions.

(4) AoB

.1 Development Trust Association (DTA)

I@tE NI applied to join the DTA. Maree Hay is the local representative and would need to meet with Michelle and one of the I@tE Directors. Ross agreed as director and Michelle will confirm date and times with Ross and Maree.

(John left the meeting at this point).

.2 NI Trails II - Extension of Post

John’s current contract ends on 15^th March and Michelle looked into funding to extend this post:

Option 1 – six months. Agreed we would need confirmation of future funding for I@tE NI before committing to this.

Option 2 – three months (March to June 2009). Michelle done costing on this from the Remote Working Income and it was agreed this would be the best option at this stage. Martha proposed and Ross seconded to extend this post for the three month period as stated.

It was agreed this would allow more time to finalise details and get the web page live with additional information and updates. Ross suggested a feedback form to find out the number of folk who visit the website and actually do the walks. Michelle contact Linda Coutts at SIC Economic Development for advise on funding to continue with ‘Trail Tours’ which could work alongside local businesses to incorporate this.

(5) Finance / Funding

Budget sheet – financial status to date. Current funding end in Sept 2009.

Future funding – if financing agreed, the status and structure of I@tE NI would have to be changed asap to avoid future payment of corporation tax.

(6) Date of next meeting

Michelle will email out list of suggested dates and confirm when agreed.

(7) Action Points

Item	Action	Who	Timescale
3.1	Wind Dog Café – Community Buyout Business Plan	Michelle & Jackie	ASAP
	Remote working – flyers out to local businesses on new binding service and promote Business Support Services	Jackie	ASAP
3.2	I@tE Business Plan and funding applications	Michelle & Jackie	ASAP
4.1	DTA – meeting with Maree Hay	Michelle & Ross	as soon as
4.2	NI Trails II – new contract and budgets from March to June	Michelle & Jackie	ASAP
5	Future Funding – change of status if applicable	Michelle & Jackie	ASAP
6	Next meeting date – to confirm with directors	Michelle	as soon as