Meeting of the Directors of Culag Community Woodland Trust

Location: 1 Old Coach House, Lochinver Date: 18th April 2016 Present: Anna MacKay, Gwen Richards, Mel Chapman, Jimmy Crooks, Ian MacKenzie In attendance: Fiona Saywell, Julian Jacobsen (member)

ITEM ACTION 1. Apologies Chris Goodman, Charlie Russell, Jorine van Delft 2. Minutes of 21st March 2016. Proposed by Anna MacKay, seconded by Jimmy Crooks. 3. Matters Arising Website: Ongoing Jorine, Anna Benches: Jimmy & Anna to finish. Jimmy to remove rotten bench at viewpoint. Anna, Jimmy LAE benches to paint also. Ongoing. Felled birch at LAE: Anna to remove before bracken grows too high. Ongoing. Anna Deer Management: Send formal request to Assynt Estates for a cull in Culag Fiona Woods (CCWT do not have Sporting Rights for CW). UHI holding a wild deer research workshop in Ullapool on 11th May. APSG meeting on 28th April to Jorine determine cull figures for 2016-17. Woodmiser: Fiona spoke with Kilfinnan Community Forest about their woodmiser and the use of. The woodmiser needs to be used regularly. There are no accredited training courses for operating woodmiser. 4. CALL/P update CALL Tree Nursery lease: Terms have been agreed. Lease with SWT at present. Fiona, Boyd Chainsaw training: Jorine to go on chainsaw training course. CALLP Continuing with match funding applications and reworking of whole scheme cash flow following meeting with HLF Grants Officer. Update required by mid May for submission to HLF meeting in mid June. SSE application submitted for OWLS match funding. 5. Financial Report End of year report taken as read. The deficit was just over £1000 which was Ian smaller than predicted. This was due to the final transfer of CE funds (£3810) and the gift aid payment for the previous 4 years. Craft fairs brought in around £600 and the final SRDP payment for Culag Woods was received (£1200). The bank balance is £11K, a good result for this year. The draft accounts are being sent to Ken Hamilton. 6. Project Officer Report Mountain Bike Track Project development: Questionnaires presented at youth Fiona group. A good number of responses received. Copies at Assynt Leisure and in Assynt News. Copies to go to local tourism providers and craft fair. Maintenance project (Little Assynt): Paths for All funding applied for (£1500) Fiona Will find out in June if successful. Wild Wood event: Fiona to advertise and order food for 7th May. Jimmy to sort Fiona, muck truck for use on the 7th. Jimmy, Anna Tree planting: Trees planted with Pre school in Culag Woods between Dukes stone and play area. David Slator, Chair of Assynt Community Council came along to help. Tree guard materials ordered and in place. Stored in container if anyone needs materials for further planting. 7. Maintenance and Volunteer work Twigloo: Thank you to Ken for constructing the new twigloo and to Julian for helping with transport to the play area and fixing the see saw. George Watsons School & JMT volunteers: Please let Fiona know of any work All suitable. 8. AOB Pine Marten hide: Andy would like to construct a pine marten hide in Culag Woods. All present agreed in principle.

Next meeting: AGM on Monday 6th June at 7.30pm in Lochinver Visitor Centre