• Back to main Merkinch Partnership page...
• Community Plan
• Minutes of Meetings
• Meetings
• Press Releases

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 18TH JANUARY 2007 IN MERKINCH COMMUNITY CENTRE COMMENCING AT 4:15PM

PRESENT:

Alistair Locke, Clair Pieraccini, Alistair Murray, Ross McGillivray, Anne Sutherland, Bob MacKinnon, Graham Strachan.

APOLOGIES: Peter Corbett, Fiona Robb, Colin Downie.

• Previous Minutes/Matters Arising

  The previous minutes were approved - no matters arising.

• Projects Update

  Merkinch Enterprise

  The outstanding part of the application (capital expenditure for replacing IT equipment in the Training Centre and mp33) was approved. Anne passed the outstanding invoices (£3,500 x 2) to Graham for payment.

  Bob handed out copies of the CRF financial update. A discussion took place regarding payments and outstanding applications. The following points were made:

  • Newstart should forward an invoice to claim their first payment - Anne to follow up.
  • Community Voices funding cannot be carried forward.
  • CRF will not be issued in advance of need.
  • The Escape Group will be claiming the remaining funding allocated to the group (£5,500) before 31/3/07.
  • Graham will contact Peter and Les Houlker regarding Grant Street Car Park - to confirm the start date for the work.
  • MDV will probably not be claiming any CRF for the period to 31/3/07.

  Bob handed out copies of the CRF Monitoring Form, which will be completed by all the projects awarded CRF. Projects will provide details of activities carried out and future plans/developments, this information will be used to create an Annual Report for Communities Scotland. Bob will e-mail the Monitoring Form to Anne and Graham.

  The issue of Council Ward boundary changes was discussed - Graham suggested that News and Views should carry an article on the boundary changes, Anne to discuss with Colin.

• New Applications

  Ferry Support Project
  The following issues were highlighted:

  • Anne will contact Dougie Montgomery, Drug and Alcohol Action Team, to clarify where projects of this type fit with overall provision.
  • The Partnership is sympathetic to the aims and objectives of the project and recognises that there is a drugs problem in the Merkinch area. However, they do not at present feel qualified to judge if the project is able to be financially supported.
  • It is important that the applicant has liaised with other relevant agencies (e.g. Osprey House) - Anne to follow up.
  • It was noted that there is other funding in place.
  • Can the project go ahead without a CRF contribution?
  • Does the group have a constitution - Anne to follow up.
  • The project and its funders appear to be affiliated with religious organisations, which could have an impact on the issue of inclusiveness.

  After some discussion it was agreed that further information was needed on the project before a decision on awarding CRF could be made. Anne will contact the group to discuss the above points.

  Family Resource Centre After some discussion it was agreed that up to £6000 could be provisionally awarded, on confirmation of the following:

  • More specific costings
  • Does the Family Centre budget have any allocation for training
  • Can the CRF award be claimed before 31/3/07. Funding could be drawn down to buy the necessary equipment.
  • Will the tutor be employed on a freelance basis.

  Anne will contact Morven Gabriel to discuss and clarify the above issues.

  Black Bridge Bike Project
  Clair declared an interest in this project as owner of the property where the project will be taking place and took no part in the discussion.

  The following points were raised:

  • The project should be working closely with the local High School - compare a similar project in Alness, which recycles bikes to India.
  • Is this simply a Highland Council project, run through mp33 -clarify.
  • Outcomes need to be clarified
  • Assessing the project should be part of an overall review of mp33.
  • The project should provide additionality
  • There is also an issue regarding sustainability.
  • The situation regarding the rates for the premises needs to be clarified - Anne to contact the Valuation Officer.
  • The costings for the project need to be amended

  Anne will contact Gus from mp33 to discuss the above points.

  Merkinch Partnership Project Administration
  The application was approved - Graham to take forward.

• A.O.B

  Graham suggested that the Partnership membership should be reviewed, in particular the issue of a youth representation - Anne to follow up.

• Date and Time of next meeting

  The next meeting will be held on Thursday 1st March at 4:15pm in Merkinch Community Centre.

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