30 July 2007, SERPID Offices, Cameron House, Oban, 12.30
Present
Present: Angus McFadyen (Chair);Fergus Younger (Agricultural Strategy Manager); Keith Miller (Forestry Commission Scotland), David Kerr (ABC), Samuel Kyeremeh , Alan Minshaw (SAC), Robert Macintyre (ABC), Audrey Martin (ABC),Bill Dundas (SERPID), Bob McIlwraith (ALIenergy), Archie Macnab,(Crofters Commission), Ross Lilley (SNH), Marina Curran Colthart (ABC) Heather Anderson (Minute Secretary ABC).
Aplogies
Apologies: Rory Colville (ABC), Lisa Webb (NFU), Lucy Sumsion (FWAG), Julia MacPherson (SEPA), Catherine Ralston, Andy Robinson (RSPB), Robert Millar
Welcome
Angus welcomed everyone to the meeting Sederunt was taken and apologies (see above) recorded.
Minutes From Last Meeting
Previous
Minutes Approved subject to correction re Argyll and Bute Agricultural Forum website address
Meeting Minutes
Argyll Area
Agricultural
Dev. Mngr
Update –
FERGUS
YOUNGER
Crofters Commission Update – R Macintyre
CROFTING INQUIRY UPDATE – ROSS LILLEY AND AUDREY MARTIN
TRANSPORT REGULATIONS AND ISLAND MARKETING UPDATE
ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH INQUIRY UPDATE – AUDREY MARTIN
A AGRICULTURAL
DIVERSIFICATION
RURAL BUSINESS RING UPDATE
MEMBERS UPDATES
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
A.O.C.B.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Fergus advised that the training workshops which had taken place had been well attended and that funding was available to help with costs for those attending.
Fergus gave a list of venues where he had given presentations to, helping to raise the profile of the Forum.
Local Food – there will be a presence at the forthcoming Connect Festival in Inveraray with a leafleted competition helping to raise the profile of Argyll food and continue the co-ordination and developmental work.
Fergus advised that there were a number of local food hubs operating and that Bute had been chosen as a Pilot for getting local food into schools.
Regarding Biogas on Bute Fergus advised that the next stage would be for a feasibility study and that HICEC would be a possible funding source for the plant station.
It is proposed to visit Amberg Sulzbach to look at their approach to biodiversity etc.
Through a power point presentation Fergus gave the Forum a quick update on his work including the development of new products for example’Tiree Tatties’.
Fergus outlined the next steps on the strategy where to recap and focus and outlined the main themes:-
Encouraging enterprise
Furthering rural development
Stewardship of the environment
Useful partnerships
Fergus advised that each action would be prioritised.
Fergus informed that it would be his intention to circulate the draft round the NFU branches and the Forum and that a one page summary be circulated after each Forum meeting along with the Minutes.
Angus thanked Fergus and gave the meeting an update on the position with the future funding for Fergus’s post which is funded until 30 September 2007. Funding is available from 01 June 2008 which leaves a shortfall of approximately £9,000. The Forum funding group have made approaches to National Farmers Union, Scottish Natural Heritage, Argyll and Bute Council, S E R PI D, Forestry Commission Scotland, The Leader Programme and Argyll and the Isles Enterprise.
Funding has been promised for 6 months from A BC, SNH, NFU and S E R P I D.
A brief to be prepared for Robert McIntyre to enable him to approach AIE.
The Forum thanked Fergus for all his hard work particularly with the uncertainty of the funding situation.
Robert advised that he had attended a recent meeting in Tarbert regarding crofting and the Forum discussed crofting in new areas of Argyll and Bute. Angus Macnab
advised that there is currently 500 applications for securing a croft and that there is a new entry scheme to give financial assistance available. A project officer (Billy Neil) is available to support new crofters.
The Forum felt that it would be useful to organise an open day on crofting.
The Forum was advised that the inquiry was regarding issues that had not been addressed by the Crofting Bill the period for commenting having ended on 28 August 2007. A report on the findings is anticipated in December 07/January 08. Audrey Martin advised that a formal response was submitted by Argyll and Bute Council (which had been circulated round the Forum) identifying projects and collaborative working stressing the role the Forum could have.
David Kerr explained that in view of the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease transport regulations had taken on less importance but that the relaxation of the regulations for the Islands due to remoteness would help Argyll and Bute with outbreaks. It is still hoped that Iain Strachan will visit Tiree and Islay.
The R S E have agreed in principle that they will attend a Forum meeting and this will be discussed by them further at a committee meeting in September. A formal letter of invitation will be sent to them.
Audrey Martin advised the Forum that she had been involved in a discussion regarding diversification on Mull where the agricultural owner was hoping to diversify into wood fuel processing and the problems that had arisen following a rates assessment. The Forum noted that and appeal was being lodged and after discussion felt that it was important that the Forum assist with this due to possible future implications on agricultural holdings.
It was agreed that a letter would be sent to the District Valuer outlining concerns and future implications, particularly taking into account the policies set out in the Biomass Action Plan for Scotland produced by the Scottish Executive. The position regarding the planning permission obtained for the building to be checked.
Keith Miller advised that Forestry Commission Scotland would also be sending formal representations.
Angus McFadyen advised that the Argyll business ring and the Highlands Business ring had now successfully amalgamated.
It was agreed that, following her retirement from the
Argyll business ring, a letter of thanks would be sent to Catriona Bell for her contribution to the Forum.
Ross Lilley – SRPID – Tier Three – Ross advised that the SRDP was with Brussels and it was unlikely to be approved until December 07/January 08. Ross could not advise whether every scheme would be held up or only certain aspects or whether LFAS payments would also be held up.
DAVID KERR LEFT THE MEETING
Ross advised that currently draft regional priorities were being drawn up – draft due to be completed by the end of September and that there would be a role for the Argyll Forum and the Leader Group when the national priorities were agreed.
Alan Minshaw advised the Forum that more workshop training could be made available.
FERGUS YOUNGER LEFT THE MEETING
Marina Curran-Colthart advised that she be e-mailing the Forum members details of the annual biodiversity outing due to take place on Monday 08 October 2007 in Islay.
Marina advised that Phase II project will end shortly and that due to the prohibitive costs, the reid bed project would not proceed but that a reduced scheme involving ditch improvement was planned.
MARINA CURRAN-COLTHART LEFT THE MEETING
Keith Miller advised that the Forestry Commission grants scheme had closed.
Angus McFadyen advised the Forum regarding the meeting he and Fergus had had with David Balharry of the Crofters Commission.
Provisionally 15 November 2007 in Inveraray in the evening with a meeting of the funding group being held in October.
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AM and FY
By Wed 5/9
FY & AMacn
AM & AMcF
AM, FY and
BMcI
AMcF
FY &HA
For access to all the documented minutes since May 2007 please click here.
