Minutes of the Meeting of the Helmsdale and District Development Trust Held on the 13th December 2012 In the

Community Centre PRESENT: Lucy Fraser Ruth Whittaker Barbara Jappy Ronald Sutherland Karen Sutherland Paul Harrington (LDO) Valery George APOLOGIES: Penny Innes Anne Sutherland HIE Deirdre Mackay, THC Eileen Grant Anna Vermehren

ITEM
Welcome & Apologies: The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: 8th November 2012 - Proposed by Karen Sutherland, seconded by Barbara Jappy Matters Arising from the Previous Minutes: Paul Harrington said that he had spoken to Phil Tomalin, HC Ward Manager, about the HC services to Helmsdale. Phil Tomalin said that there was no definitive list but he would be prepared to help to compile one. Paul Harrington continued by saying that David Bryant would be holding a workshop on HC Procurement in February and he felt that the Trust should be represented. He added that he was prepared to attend and felt that that another Director should also attend. It was agreed that a decision on whether or not to proceed would be taken after the workshop. Paul Harrington said that he would circulate the workshop date when it was announced.

ACTION

Agreed

Paul Harrington

FINANCE Karen Sutherland updated the Board and gave each Director a summary copy of the accounts to date. She continued by saying that the funding for the LDO post was confirmed for next year. But reiterated the need for securing income for future years. Lucy Fraser said that seeking funding for the continuance of the LDO post was a priority. Karen Sutherland concluded by saying that she would speak to Ann Sutherland at HIE regarding the balance of funds, prior to Anne retiring in Mar 2013.

Karen Sutherland

LDO REPORT HOUSING We have had a rejected application from Esmee Fairbairn Foundation - 29k Private finance met with PDC the other week, and they are approaching several community benefit funds for the purpose of providing OUR Private Finance element of the project costs. I have suggested an interest rate of 4%. This would allow us to borrow more and maintain the same yearly repayment amount.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Helmsdale and District Development Trust Held on the 13th December 2012 In the Community Centre

ITEM
LDO Report Cont To date we still have 548k (92%) of the project funds total project cost 596k (until Tenders returned). I have delayed the issue of tenders to contractors as a result of the recent rejected application - we will have contracted prices for 150 days. The tenders have no indication of AHS on them, and all tenders will be returned to HDDT. We therefore need to open a book/record of tender receipts and those in attendance, HDDT rep, QS and AHS Project Manager to be done at Helmsdale I have requested HGA Engineers to cash-flow the Solar PV FITs for the next 5 to 10 years, and I will build this into the inc/exp forecast. We have started the process of transferring the land as THC legal department could take quite a long time to move on this we will sign for the land and then sign straight over to the chosen contractor for the duration of the build, and then sign it back from them upon completion of construction The plots advert should never have been advertised, this is a mistake and has been admitted by NT, they issued an invoice and have credited the amount. However, we have not had any response from this advert worrying. Suggest we publish on HSPC website?

ACTION

FILLING STATION Re the business plan, made some changes, Graham will have this with us for tomorrow. We have to complete an options appraisal for the BLF application, I am undertaking this now, creating a template, based on the workshops we have had and the main script from the BP. I met with David Knight (Big Lottery Fund) last week at Just Enterprise workshop at Bonar Bridge. We have been requested to host a filling station seminar by HIE in Mar 2013? Covering Highlands & Islands area and some from Lochaber. RENEWABLES ONSHORE Balnacoil will be submitting their Planning application in May 2013 further community consultation in Feb, subject to EIA being completed they are reducing turbines from 17 to 15, due to constraints, with a proposed output of approx. 30Mgw (could generate approx. 150k per annum for community benefit). HYDRO Have completed the Hydro Tender, with assistance from CES. Will be posted on their website and public procurement site. We will hold back on submitting the CARES start up grant, max 10k, until the tenders are returned this then indicates the costs to drop into the application.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Helmsdale and District Development Trust Held on the 13th December 2012 In the Community Centre

ITEM
LDO Report Cont .. OTHIN HOUSE

ACTION

I have not been able to contact the consultant. He has been sick for the past 3
weeks. I will again attempt at the beginning of January 2013.

COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS
Website - Valery George explained that, although previous minutes had been sent to, David Mason, he had not received them, in spite of them being sent in the agreed format. She continued by saying that they would be re-sent in a different way, by Paul Harrington. Newsletter - Paul Harrington said that the December Newsletter had been posted or hand delivered to all Members. They were now available in the local shops. Paul thanked Ruth Whittaker for her expertise and help in updating the newsletter. Christmas Dinner - Paul Harrington updated the Board on the arrangements for the dinner. He continued by saying that were now 15 of us attending and that Anne Sutherland and her husband, Graham Phillips and his wife and Deirdre Mackay had all accepted the invitation. He continued by saying that it was Bring Your Own drink and if anyone would like to have their bottles etc chilled, please get these to Paul before pm on Thursday. He added that he would be making some mulled cider for all to taste ALL Paul Harrington

ALL

Date: 21 December Time: 7pm for 730pm

ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cont . FUTURE MEETING DATES After a general discussion it was agreed that there would not be a meeting in January 2013. It was also agreed that future dates/days of monthly meetings should be decided at the AGM and that Paul Harrington would discuss options with Penny Innes. The Chairman asked if there was anything further and there was none, thanked everyone and closed the meeting at 2010hrs

ALL

Paul Harrington

The next meeting will be on Thursday 7th February 2013