Appin and Lismore Interpretative Strategy Implementation Project.
Minutes of Steering Group meeting held at Pier House Hotel 04/04/07
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)
Elaine Robertson- co-opted A&B Councillor (ER)
Carol Collis NACT (CC)
Apologies:
Tony Perkins -co-opted Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor (TP)
Alison MacCorquodale - Appin Community Council.
Item 1. NACT
Carol Collis, NACT Project officer attended the meeting to meet committee members and come up to speed on the various projects. With support from an SNH grant NACT will take on the supporting role for the A&L Interp Strat for the next 12 months starting with the next meeting proposed for 9 May 2007 . NACT will chair the meeting and also provide minutes. NACT are able to secure funding for projects so their involvement frees up the committee members to purely focus on researching and drawing together project proposals for implementation.
Item 2. Feedback
There was a general discussion on how essential feedback is if the strategy is to make progress. Feedback not only in terms of to the various bodies that the committee represent but also from the sub working groups back to the committee. This is especially important now that NACT are a resource of the group as projects, once identified and costed, can be progressed pretty quickly. Feedback expected for next meeting is: confirmation that all groups represented by the committee have had these minutes brought to their attention. Specific project feedback expected on Appin Footpaths and Cycle ways so that grant aid can start to be secured for this project. Updates expected from all other sub groups.
ACTION POINT 1: ALL - ENSURE THAT MINUTES FROM THE MEETINGS, EVEN IF YOU DID NOT ATTEND, ARE FED BACK TO THE ORGANISATIONS THAT YOU REPRESENT ON THE COMMITTEE. ALL SUB-GROUPS TO REPORT ON PROGRESS IN TIME FOR THE NEXT MEETING. IF NO REPORTS ARE SUBMITTED THEN THE COMMITTEE CAN NOT PROGRESS THE PROJECTS.
Item 3. Logo
The results of the community vote on the logo are in and the preferred logo was of the light house (47 votes against 6). It was agreed that this design now needs a little further work. MCC confirmed that funding was available for this final design work from the LBAP leaflet project.
ACTION POINT 2: ALL - email SA with comments/feedback on changes needed to logo for feedback to the designer for final design. DEADLINE for feedback 16/04/07.
Item 4: Lismore Walks template leaflet.
The purpose of this project was to design a leaflet to act as a template for other A&L Int Strat leaflets. MCC is funding this under LBAP. MCC reported that the previous contractor had failed to deliver on time. As such the design is now being undertaken by volunteers. It was decided that the bulk of the leaflet could be flexible and responsive to the subject matter and that it is the first page that needs to be agreed by the committee. The format of which will provide the format for all other leaflet.
ACTION POINT 3: MCC to email draft front panel of leaflet around committee ASAP to agree on final format.
There then followed some general discussion about leaflets and the cost of reprints etc. It was determined that grant aid will normally cover costs of initial print runs. After that leaflets can be uploaded to a future website and printed off.
Item 5: Business Seminar.
The committee agreed that it would be a good idea to organise a business seminar for the summer. Aimed at inspiring new business opportunities linked to the strategy and also a chance for folk to network i.e. one croft might have some accommodation which could be linked to another business providing activities etc. NACT will lead on this in terms of drawing up a costed proposal for the committees consideration before NACT seek grant aid. NACT can add 10% to the cost for administering this grant. It is proposed to have the seminar on Lismore using the new seminar facilities at the museum which can be paid for by grant aid so full commercial charge should be made for holding the event.
ACTION POINT 4: ALL - forward CC ideas and logistics that need to be included in proposal (forward to mail@nact.demon.co.uk.) -deadline for ideas etc. 16/04/07
ACTION POINT 5: CC draw up costed proposal for business seminar for consideration by the committee at next meeting.
Item 6: Transnational Project.
MCC reported on a marina and sailing transnational project between Ireland and the west coast of Scotland. With the scenic qualities to be found around A&L it was felt that the area should try and capitalise on this project. It was suggested that this project could be included in the Business Seminar.
ACTION POINT 6: MCC to forward details to CC so that she can find about out about time scales and consider it under the B seminar.
Item 7: SE £500 grant for feasibility studies and action plans.
ER reported on an SE grant that can be used for feasibility studies. This could be a potential source of funding for the car parking study -including looking at options for a community long lease of private land etc.
ACTION POINT 7: ER to forward details CC. AG to forward spec for application for car parking feasibility study. CC to make application via NACT plus 10%.
Date of next meeting 10.30 am 9 May 2007 MG to confirm venue.