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MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE MERKINCH PARTNERSHIP HELD IN MERKINCH COMMUNITY CENTRE ON TUESDAY 14TH MARCH 2006 COMMENCING AT 4.15PM

PRESENT:

Peter Corbett, Ross MacGillivray, Bette McArdle, Alistair Locke, Colin Downie, Anne Sutherland, Fiona Robb, Jamie McJimpsey, Alison Berg, Bob MacKinnon and Marie MacIntosh.

APOLOGIES: Graham Strachan and Alistair Murray.

ABSENT: Joan Tracey

• Welcome and Apologies
   
  
• Previous Minutes/Matters Arising

  The issue of membership of the Partnership will be discussed at the community meeting planned for April.

• Community Plan Update

  The Community Plan is almost complete and will shortly be ready for circulation. Bound copies will be issued to the Partnership members and the funding partners.

  B MacKinnon updated the meeting on the Community Regeneration Funding Programme:

  • The proposed spending plan has been drawn from the Community Plan.
  • Partnership funding needs to be confirmed.
  • Merkinch Partnership will become the means of agreeing the programme of spend, although the Regeneration funding will be held by Highland Council. Decision-making should be delegated to the Partnership.
  • Partnership members should not take part in discussions regarding their own projects.
  • The programme of spend will be flexible, with room for amendments and alterations.
  • CRF will be available from 19th April.
  • Reporting and monitoring procedures will be put in place and project representatives will undergo workshop style training in these procedures.
  • Project representatives/sponsors will present progress reports (on finances/spend/additional funding needs) to the Merkinch Partnership on a regular basis.
  • There is an amount of CRF unallocated in the spending programme for 2006/07. 20% of any unused CRF can be carried forward.
  • Each project receiving CRF should appoint an accountable officer.

• South Kessock Environmental Co. Update - Waterfront Centre

  The group has been successful in its application for £30,000 from Highland 2007.

  Scottish Natural Heritage should be approached regarding funding for fittings, furnishings and interpretive materials.

  The directors of SKEC will meet with local SNH Officer Anne Murray to discuss funding.

• Merkinch Community Centre (Gym Hall) Update

  This project has also been successful in its application for £30,000 from Highland 2007.

• Partnership Staff Post/s

  There was considerable discussion regarding the two job descriptions proposed by Graham Strachan. Points raised included:

  Whether two posts were needed in to the current Community Plan; Need to consider other posts required in Merkinch, eg Waterfront Centre Duplication within roles Need to demonstrate 'value for money' Timescale - require new post to continue on from current Project Officer post

  Discussion continued as to whether the Manager role plus an admin role was required or whether a project officer post was more beneficial to the area. Partnership members at the meeting were agreed that the Project Officer post would be most appropriate and should be continued. Bob Mackinnon pointed out that no formal job offer could be made until after 19th April, the date on which a decision would be made on the Community Plan submission. It was agreed that the decision on the posts should be discussed further by the Partnership representatives, project representatives and funding partners. It was agreed to meet on 25th April at 5.30 pm for 6.00pm, with the venue to be confirmed.

• A.O.B

  None.

• Date and Time of next meeting

  See Item 6

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