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MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 2006 IN MERKINCH COMMUNITY CENTRE COMMENCING AT 9:30AM

PRESENT:

Peter Corbett, Bette McArdle, Alistair Locke, Clair Pieraccini, Alistair Murray, Ross McGillivray, Colin Downie, Anne Sutherland, Bob MacKinnon, Fiona Robb.

APOLOGIES: Graham Strachan and Jamie McJimpsey.

ABSENT: Joan Tracey

• Welcome and Apologies
• Previous Minutes/Matters Arising

  The minutes were approved and there were no matters arising.

• Projects Update

  SKEC Waterfront Centre
  Highland Council architects are working on the draft design, which will be presented to the SKEC directors at their next meeting on 28th September. The directors are keen that the ferry quay is refurbished at the same time. This could be taken forward in conjunction with the Sea Cadets and it was noted that further funding would need to be sought.

  Merkinch Community Centre - Gym Hall
  The ordering process has begun and the new equipment should be in place by the end of October. There have been further discussions regarding staffing and the role of the recently recruited co-ordinator. The Project Team dealing with the programming for the new space held its first meeting in August.

  Arts in Merkinch
  The new Arts Worker took up her post on 4th September.

  REAL
  Fiona will get more information regarding additionality and budget allocation.

• New CRF applications

  Merkinch Enterprise - Community Employment Training

  There was a general discussion regarding the details of the application and the following points were made:

  • The application includes the purchase of replacement computer equipment for mp33 along with those required within the Community Unemployed IT Training Centre.
  • The computers allocated to clients for use at home will benefit from the above upgrade.
  • The public access computers are in need of replacing at £ 2,500 with £ 1,500 being available from Learndirect Scotland.
  • Approval for the ESF part of the application is required now, in order to meet the ESF deadline.

  After some deliberation the revenue part of the application was approved relating to the ESF project commencing January to December 2007. It was agreed that the capital part of the application will be considered at a later date as the expenditure period is not until January 2007; however the £ 1,000 was approved towards the cost of replacing the public access computers.

  The issue of migrant workers attending Merkinch Enterprise was discussed.

  Newstart

  After some discussion it was agreed that Anne will arrange a meeting with James Dunbar at the Newstart premises, in order to clarify the application. The meeting was provisionally arranged for Thursday 21st September at 2:00pm and all Partnership Board members and funders would attend, if available. Anne agreed to draw up a list of issues to be discussed.

  Anne circulated some information about a local teenage mothers group, Capers; it was agreed that the group will submit an application to CRF for the next meeting.

  Bob handed out the financial update. He stated that £26,500 is currently unallocated and that there is scope for developing further projects. The following points were made:

  • The Partnership need to consider the issue of planning ahead and the long-term picture.
  • Projects such as the Janny's Hoose, the Waterfront Centre and Newstart will need longer-term financial commitment - this will be discussed in further detail at the next Partnership meeting.
  • The Partnership need to have an overview and a bigger picture of the issues of training and family support.
  • The issue of slippage was discussed: 20% of any underspend will be carried forward to the next financial year, the remainder will be lost.
  • CRF cannot be paid in advance.
  • A financial report/update will be added to future agendas.
  • It was noted that Merkinch Enterprise is overseeing various projects
  • It was agreed that Merkinch Development Ventures will submit an application to CRF for the next meeting.
  • The small projects fund of £15,000 has now been committed.
  • Anne will check the figures on Bob's handout.
  • Bob will adjust the figures in the handout as required and circulate.

• Board Membership

  It was noted that Joan Tracey had only attended 1 Partnership meeting since January 2006; Anne will contact her to discuss if she wishes to continue as a Board member.

  There was a discussion regarding membership and the following issues were raised:

  • The Board needs to increase its membership
  • Sub-groups could be formed to deal with funding, new projects, etc
  • The partnership should include younger members

  Anne and Jamie will provide an update on the Partnership and CRF funding for the next issue of News and Views: the content will be approved by the Chair before publication. This would make local groups aware of funding available in the area. Future updates could be circulated to the wider Inverness area.

  Clair agreed to join the Partnership Board and was proposed and seconded by Peter and Ali. Ali would like to resign as Vice-Chair, although he would remain on the Board. The issue of Vice-Chair will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

  Several other people were put forward as possible Board members.

• General Membership

  It was agreed that Board members should complete a membership form.

  After some discussion it was agreed that all organisations who have been awarded funding should complete a membership form - Anne to contact groups.

  The question of membership will need further discussion and will be an agenda item at the next meeting. The constitution and how the Partnership engages with the local community will also need further discussion.

  Bob stressed that the Board members do not represent their individual organisations.

• A.O.B

  None.

• Date and Time of next meeting

  The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 26th September at 4:15pm in Merkinch Community Centre.

This project is being part-financed by the European Union under the Inverness and Nairn CED programme.