Appin and Lismore Interpretative Strategy Implementation Project.

Minutes of Steering Group meeting held at Appin Co-op 18th July 2006.

Present:

Alison MacCorquodale - representing Appin Community Council (AM)

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)

Apologies:     Tony Perkins -co-opted Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor

Alex Gourley - co-opted Appin Community Council

Item 1 Feedback from partner organisations.

PD reported that Comann Eachdraidh and Lismore community Counicl (the meeting of which she was also present) both had reservations about the title of the strategy but endorsed its content and were looking forward to implementing  projects on the ground in future.

AM reported that Appin Community Council had held an open public meeting to discuss the strategy and endorsed its content.

MG reported that Appin Historic Society had held an event to promote the strategy and endorsed its content. It was also reported that the society had been the main driving force behind establishing a working sub-group to focus on implementing certain aspects of the strategy.

MCC reported that £1000 LPAB grant was being used via Comann Eachraidhe for the logo and template leaflet project.

Item 2 Appin sub working group (ASWG).

MG explained that whilst Appin Historic Society helped set up the ASWG that it was a community wide group and not affiliated to the society. Its purpose is to focus down onto particular elements of the strategy and start drawing projects together which can then be put forward to potential grant aid funders. Reports are already being compiled on Paths and Access, Moorings and Slipways, Parking issues and finally business representation. These reports will be forwarded to the Steering group for consideration in terms of overall coordination of projects and uniformity (i.e. leaflet design) across the Strategy area. At the same time the Steering group will give support and advice to ASWG e.g. on funding and on how to take the projects forward. The afore mentioned reports will be considered at the next steering group meeting.

The sub working group is being coordinated by Alex Gourley who also sits on the Steering Group. The strategy considers a wide range of project however those currently being focussed on by ASWG have been prioritised by the group.

At this point there was some discussion regarding the merits of setting up a chamber of commerce for the area to support and coordinate business aspects of the strategy. It was agreed by the steering group that this should be considered at a later date and it was agreed to discuss this again in early 2007.

Action Point 1. AG to submit reports from ASWG to steering group in time for next steering group meeting in October.

Item 3. Logo Competition.

MCC in conjunction with grant aid to Comann Eachdraidh ran a competition to design a logo for the comman badging of the strategy and its various projects on the ground and eventual publications e.g. leaflets etc. Unfortunately the competition did not result in a broad spread of entrants especially from adults and people from Appin. As such it was decided to re-run the competition with a closing date of end of September.

Action Point 2. ALL to promote the competition to both communities if opportunities arise.

Action Point 3.  PD to do piece in Oban times about the competition.

Item 4. Template Leaflet.

MCC in conjunction with grant aid to Comann Eachdraidh are developing a template leaflet. This leaflet is currently being drawn up by consultants with input from Marilyn  Kriskansen. A draft will be submitted to the steering group for there consideration and input into the design at the next meeting.

Action Point 4. MCC table draft version of leaflet for consideration by the steering group at the next meeting.

Item 5. Public launch of the Appin and Lismore Interpretative Strategy

It was decided to launch the strategy at the Appin show  (19/08) with a display and photo opp. in the SNH tent.

Action Point 5. SA to arrange for display and photo opp in SNH tent at the show.

Action Point 6. ALL to attend show if possible and take terns in manning the display.

Date of next meeting: 10:30 am Appin Coop, 11th October 2006