BLUEMULL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

Minutes of First BDC Directors Meeting in Unit2, Sellafirth Business Park

Friday 2^nd October 2009

Present:                                   Directors Appointed:                            In Attendance:

Robert Jamieson (Chair)            Michelle Morris                                     Jackie Smiles (Temp DW)

Lesley Gray                               John Laughland

Laurence Robertson                                                                                          

(1)  Apologies

Catriona Waddington                                                                              Helen Bradley (NICWO)

Ross Gazey                                                                                                       

(2)   BDC Set Up

Robert opened the first meeting under the change of name from Initiative at the Edge, NI Ltd to the Bluemull Development Company Ltd with changes of Directors as follows:

I.         New Directors for BDC – Laurence proposed Michelle Morris and John Laughland seconded by Lesley.  (Robert, Ross, Lesley and Catriona continue as Directors of BDC from IatE NI).

II.       Step Down of Directors – Laurence stepped down with thanks.  Appointments terminated at end of term for Paul Gill, Roger Brimacombe and Martha Smith.

III.      New Office Bearers appointed – Robert agreed to act as Treasurer.  Jackie as Company Secretary.  Lesley agreed to stay on as Staff Director.  Robert proposed Michelle as the new BDC Chair seconded by Lesley. 

IV.     Sign BDC Memorandum & Articles – waiting on written confirmation from Co House for BDC M&A to be signed by Directors.

Pathfinder – The local landowner of the site where the Pathfinder antenna is sited on the Shetland Amenity Trust building in Colvister Quarry has refused access to allow the electricity to be put in place that will bounce the signal from Colvister to the Sellafirth office.  Robert working on a meeting with SAT, local landowner and BDC to meet at Unit 2 to come to an agreement to allow the electricity to be put in place ASAP.  All agree this is vitally important to the progress of the remote working office and business support services and needs resolved immediately.

(Laurence left the meeting at this point and after Robert thanked him for his time as Director).

(3)  BDC Staff

I.         Temporary appointment of Development Worker – Michelle left the post of DW on 24^th Sept and Jackie currently covering DW and Admin post until new DW in place.

II.       Job Advert for DW - agreed to put in Shetland Times on Friday 9^th & 16^th Oct with deadline for replies by 30^th Oct to go to Michelle as Chair.  Michelle & Lesley will liaise for shortlist and interview dates.

III.      Jackie holiday cover – Jackie on holiday 8^th – 28^th October.  Frances Gillham will cover office hours Monday and Wednesday’s until Jackie back and John will cover Fridays (tbc).  All class tutors have key for own access.  Michelle will check phones, emails and mail while Jackie away.  Jackie will put changes of office opening hours to the Isles View column in Shetland Times and notice for front door, email and answer phone.

(4)  AoB

I.         Website for Yell – Lesley suggested BDC set up a dedicated website for Yell as there is nothing specific for Yell currently online.  (Noted both Unst and Fetlar have their own websites).  BDC could administer this with sponsorship from local businesses.  All agreed great idea and could include links to every amenity in Yell for local information, visitors and folk looking to relocate.  Suggested funding/sponsorship: yell.com, Yell CC, Community Chest, Lloyds TSB (Lesley send Jackie link on Lloyds TSB funding).

II.       Social Accounting Training – Business Gateway advised that a Social Audit should be carried out for the completed IatE NI project which will help with future funding bids and be included in Business Plans.  Jackie and Michelle will attend training in November as this could be included as a service BDC can offer in Business Support.  Jackie to get quote from AB Associates re doing Social Audit for IatE NI.

III.      BDC Update to Isles View column – brief update on change of name to BDC and office hours during Jackie’s holidays agreed to go the Lawrence for the Isles View column for next week.  A full press release to be organised once Pathfinder in operation.

IV.     Change of name for utilities - all utilities and official documents updated with change of name from 1^st October.  BT require £300 for change of name, Directors agreed to leave as is until end of BT contract and look into other telephone providers at that time.

V.      BDC members – all IatE NI members been advised of change of name and focus for BDC and new membership forms sent out.

VI.     Maintenance of units – John noted to BDC needs to ensure that the landlord fulfils all their obligations to maintain the units before taking over/purchasing.  Jackie will check lease for this.  It was suggested to find out about Community Service to paint the exterior of the units.

VII.   Adult Learning – Roselyn Fraser met with Jackie earlier this week and was impressed with the facilities on offer and agreed to look into using Unit 2 as a permanent internet access point for Adult Learning among other ideas and get back to BDC as soon as.

VIII.  BDC Business Plan 2009-2010 - Jackie to forward final plan to all Directors for their own information/records.

IX.     Fetlar CC – agreed to send letter to Fetlar CC regarding the changes from IatE NI to BDC noting BDC hope to work in synergy with Fetlar Development Group.

(5)  Finance/Funding

I.         Shetland College Annual Retainer – Shetland College have proposed paying set annual rate for current courses on offer and would look to install video conferencing facilities which BDC could use at other times (terms and conditions to be agreed).  It was agreed to confirm this offer with full details of video conferencing availability to be confirmed.

(6)  Date of next meeting

§          Friday 6^th Nov at 6.15pm in Unit 2.