Initiative at the Edge – North Isles Ltd

Minutes from the Directors Meeting in Unit2, Sellafirth Business Park

 Tuesday 26^th November 2008 at 6.45pm

Present:                                                                                                           In Attendance:

Robert Jamieson (Chair)                                                                                       Michelle Morris

Minnie Mouatt                                                                                                      Jackie Smiles

Laurence Robertson                                                                                              John Laughland

(1)      Apologies

Martha Devine                           Ross Gazey                                                        Robert Thomson (NICWO)

Roger Brimacombe                     Lesley Gray                                                       Fiona Stirling (HIE)       

Paul Gill                                    Andrew Nisbet

(2)      Minutes

Minutes for 9^th September 2008 were approved by Minnie Mouatt and seconded by Laurence Robertson.

(3)      Discussion on Development Plan updates and future of I@tE NI 

Updates on last agenda, minutes and budgets had been sent to all directors by post prior to this meeting to clear the agenda for directors to bring ideas and suggestions to the table regarding how I@tE could progress after funding status is completed in Sept 2009. Nothing was submitted by directors unable to attend this meeting and the main points noted were as follows:

§         NI Trails – John spoke about developing non themed individual walks/trails that could cover areas in all the north isles that could be sold online or otherwise would generate a small income.

§         Tourism – Minnie suggested joining membership with the Shetland Tourist Association.   As SIC now looking at marketing tourism for Shetland this could fit in with decentralisation of services for remote working. It was generally agreed tourism is one of the main ways forward to generate income and employment. Jackie will contact Linda Coutts, SIC Economic Development and Tourism Officer directly on this.

§         Wind Dog Café – the café is now up for sale and Michelle put forward the idea for I@tE NI to go for this business as a community buyout. Profits noted for six month period and if community buyout would be reinvested into the NI. This could not only employ staff but be used for local crafts and other community groups and all agreed the café has been a good hub for things going on the NI and would like to see this keep carry on. Michelle will look into funding and report back to directors.

§         Recycling/Environmental – some ideas discussed:

(a)    Wool insulation – suggested sheepskin remnants could be used for this. Minnie noted although yarn is in demand due to the present interest in knitting and some folk are producing carpets using the fleece that is not suitable for spinning into yarn, the price to the producer isn't going up by much, so would not discount investigating any ideas for more uses for wool as this may help push up the price. Organic Wool Project – I@tE NI no longer in the loop as Pete Glanville set up own company and looking at other units in the NI which should employ two local folk.

(b)    Collections points for waste that can’t go in skips – this needs to be looked into further as might need planning permission etc. Jackie will cover this when researching for NI Recycling brochure

§         Remote Working Office – budgets given out showing I@tE could keep this unit on for another year after Sept 2009 with a basic admin/caretaker role. (Annual estimate = running costs £12,589 - finances available £12,601). Michelle approached the Climate Challenge Fund for financing to keep this facility going and been advised CCF won’t give assistance for existing projects but would consider an application for something within this that would fit into their criteria. Michelle suggested video conferencing could be funded through this. It was agreed one large (recycling?) project with Unit 2 as the administration base is what is needed. Directors okayed the brochure for Remote Working & Office Services (Facilities and Charges) to go out now for marketing.

§         Training – Robert noted a new scheme called Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) for LGV and PCV drivers is now in place and new drivers will have to obtain an initial CPC in addition to their licence after Sept 2009. All professional drivers must complete a total of 35 hours Periodic Training within the following five years to keep the CPC valid. This will open a whole new opportunity for trainers as this will be ongoing (theory) training. Robert suggested I@tE look into this as a possible

(3)      Discussion on Development Plan updates and future of I@tE NI 

income and contact local companies that would otherwise have to send drivers south for this as I@tE could facilitate for training to be held in Shetland. Robert will give Michelle all the information he has on this.  All agreed using the I@tE unit for training course and re-training of staff to offer basic courses folk would otherwise have to travel to the mainland to complete would be a good way to generate income.

(4)      AoB

1)        Saxa Vord Resort

Laurence gave brief update that Saxa Vord will be open next year and owner Frank Strang is keen to include community enterprises. Mr Strang has arranged for the Development Trusts Association Scotland to come up to Unst in December this year and outline how this could be included in the Saxa Vord business. 

2)        NI CC & Future of I@tE NI

Reply from Unst and Yell CC’s state they would like to see I@tE carry on working in the NI under another format when status finishes in 2009, especially as the remote working facility. Fetlar CC replied they would like to remain a part of the current I@tE NI status contrary to the wording of the GatE Report.

3)        Dental Provision – Unst

Jackie written to Unst Health Centre several times with no reply to date and will contact Shetland NHS directly again on supporting the need for a dental surgery in Unst.

4)        Housing / Remote Working Office

Jackie wrote to Chris Medley, Head of SIC Housing Dept suggesting I@tE office could be used to hold keys for NI housing as we are open same office hours as Lerwick. Mr Medley sent a very negative reply which appears to be at cross-purposes with the initial suggestion. Directors agreed to the draft letter to go back to Mr Medley clearly stating I@tE are not suggesting that SIC Housing staff be based here in the NI but that this office could be used to the benefit of SIC tenants at little cost to the housing dept to hold keys for SIC properties.

5)        I@tE Shetland Presentation

Michelle and Maree Hay, I@tE Northmavine are giving a joint presentation at the SIC Economic Development Unit on 27^th November on “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” of the I@tE status in both areas. 

(6)      Date of next meeting

No date set at this point. AGM due for January 2009 – Jackie confirm date with all directors.

(7)      Action points