Appin and Lismore Interpretative Strategy Implementation Project.

Minutes of Steering Group meeting held at Appin Co-op  17/01/07

Present:

Pauline  Dowling - representing Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor (PD)

Mary Gregory - representing Appin Historic Society (MK)

Stephen Austin - representing SNH (current Chair) (SA)

Marina Curran-Colthart, - representing LBAP, A&B Council. (MCC)

Tony Perkins -co-opted Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor (TP)

Les Silkowski & Isobel Gordon - representing Appin Walking and Cycling sub-group (L&I)

Alex Gourley - co-opted Appin Community Council (AG)

Apologies:     Elain Robertson- co-opted A&B Councillor  (ER)

Item 1. Footpaths.

Les and Isobel gave a short report on the Appin footpath review which was first submitted last April. It was agreed to take that review to the Core Footpath consultation being undertaken by A&B Council. Once the A&B have decided which routes to adopt as core paths the we will decide how to fund any remaining footpath development. At that stage promotion can also be taking forward. The group noted that due to the exceptional standard of the review undertaken by L&I that it would not take much work to change that into a promotional booklet for the area. Lismore will start on footpath review ASAP. They  seek L&I advice as they have gained experience in this. Maybe use same format of document as Appin document hence consistency for production of walks booklet.

Emergency works for Jubilee Bridge are currently being costed and will be forwarded to SNH for consideration of grant aid.

ACTION POINT 1: L&I - ensure that the proposed routes round Appin are fed into the A&B Core Path net work consultation and to lobby for their adoption.

ACTION POINT 2: PD and TP to identify person on Lismore to take footpath project  forward on Lismore and get them to contact L&I for advice on process.

ACTION POINT 3: AG forward costs to SNH for grant application for Jubilee Bridge

Item 2.  Cycle Routes.

SUSTRANS have submitted guidance on signage for the cycle ways. This needs to be reviewed in relation to identified routes and costed. Signage should include the agreed logo (still to be determined -see item 3 below). A&B Roads department need to be contacted and brought on board re permission/assistance erecting signs etc. L&I kindly agreed to include the Lismore routes as well.

ACTION POINT 4: SA to forward SUSTRANS advice to L&I

ACTION POINT 5: L&I to consider SUSTRANS advice and draw up specifications for Appin and Lismore cycle routes and costs.

ACTION POINT 6. ER to contact A&B Roads department and gain support.

Item 3. Logo and community update 

Two logos have been decided upon to take back to the community for them to decide on. These are the light house and the map -these need to worked up further before being sent round. The community also need to be brought up to speed on the progress for implementing the strategy. This will be done by way of a single side of A4 News. The logos will be reproduced on the back and a return slip for community to cast their vote. SNH will supply pre-paid envelopes. This way the community get an update on the progress plus ownership of the logo. TP would like to include logo in Lismore Museum once agreed.

ACTION POINT 7: MCC get the logos worked up and forward to MG

ACTION POINT 8: MG (still to be confirmed)  to work up draft news sheet with update for both communities with logos and return slip on back and circulate round committee for approval before forwarding to SNH for copying.

Item 4. Fish farm application.

SA reported to the group that a proposed fish farm application which was going to lie to the SW of Castle Coeffin was now being considered to the NW instead. This new proposed location would not impact on the fantastic views to be enjoyed from that location or detract from any future walks and associated walks leaflets for that area. The committee indicated that had the original site been taken forward there would have been significant objection. The A&L committee welcomed the fact that the developer had asked for this to be brought to their attention. SA will give their feedback to the developer.

ACTION POINT 9: SA give feedback to developers (done 18/01/07)

Item 5. Future chair and support for A&L Steering committee  

SA reported that SNH Lorn and North Argyll team needed to try and secure some additional resources to take forward community development and environmental education projects in the area. One way forward under consideration was to grant aid North Argyll Community Trust (NACT) to take on the chair and supporting role for the A&L steering group from SNH and to also fund raise for the implementation of the strategy. SA requested feedback from the committee about this proposal. The committee responded that as long as SNH still technically sat on the steering group and fed into the process they would welcome support via NACT and that they would be pleased for this proposal to be considered further, SA assured the committee that SNH would still be involved but would not turn up to every meeting. If a focussed input was required that would still be possible. SA said that depending on whether the funding package was taken forward or not he would invite the NACT project officer along to the next meeting.

Item 6. Environmental Arts

SA reported that SNH was supporting a geopoetics event on Luing this year and that such an event could be brought to Appin and Lismore in future years to help attract people to the area. It was agreed to consider this further at a future date.

Date of next meeting: 10:30 am Appin Coop, 28 February 2007