KINTYRE INITIATIVE WORKING GROUP held in COUNCIL CHAMBERS, TOWN HALL, CAMPBELTOWN on MONDAY 24th APRIL 2006 at 10.00 a.m. Councillor Donald Kelly opened the meeting by welcoming and thanking everyone for attending the April Meeting of the Kintyre Initiative Working Group. 1. APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received from Eleanor Scott MSP, Argyll College, Alan Reid MP, Ivor Robertson, Jamie McGrigor MSP, Jobcentre Plus, Brian Keating, John Bakes and Alan Macdonald Tarbert Harbour Trust. 2. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on 6th February 2006 were approved. 3. FERRY INITIATIVES Local Members, Council Officers and Moyle Council met last month, after which it was agreed that the Council Leader would write to the Scottish Executive asking for an early meeting. Councillor Donald Kelly intimated that he had written to the First Minister stressing the importance of the ferry service but to date has not received a reply. He urged the Group that if they hadn’t already done so to get their Group to write to the First Minister and Transport Minister. George Lyon MSP intimated that two companies have stated that they are willing to bid and have submitted the pre-qualifying questionnaire but will need to go through the same tendering process as before. George Lyon MSP advised the Group that it is up to the Community of Kintyre to decide what happens to the £1 million should the ferry not be reinstated. 4. UPDATE ON INITIATIVES/PRIORITIES AND THEMES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon and 10K – Things are progressing well with the event taking place on Sunday 28th May with a lot of applicants from all over. Donnie McLeod advised that he is meeting with the Committee on Friday to discuss the final route. Dunfermline Car Club – An application to the Events and Festivals Committee has been made with two major players interested. Campbeltown to Machrihanish Railway Walk –A possible funding stream for a feasibility study has been identified and will be applied for. Fessenden Project – A memorial is to be erected at the site in Machrihanish. The Employability Team is to help with a project involving local schools. Westport – Councillor Rory Colville intimated that discussions need to take place with SNH and Donnie McLeod. Yellow Book – Kevin Williams gave the Group an update on the Yellow Book project. An action plan is being drawn up and will be advised to the KIWG soon. Page 1 of 4 Banner Project –The Group had met and are pursuing the implementation of this project. A good article had recently appeared in the Campbeltown Courier informing the community of the project and asking for any photographs or ideas, which could be used. Funding now needs to be applied for and the Group have asked for a sample to be sent to them from Bushmills. The project is to be called Kintyre Connections. Opportunity Kintyre – Susan Paterson gave an update on the Opportunity Kintyre project. A group of about 50 people will go through the training and start to work with potential local businesses. The system has worked well in Australia where it started, and in the USA and Canada. Progress will be reported on to the Group. 5. INITIATIVES/PRIORITIES AND THEMES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS None at present. Kite Festival is to take place on 5th August 2006 and things are progressing well with this event. 6. UPDATE/REPORT ON NEW GOLF COURSE Brian Keating has advised Councillor Donald Kelly that all funding is now in place and he will attend a future meeting to give the Group an update. 7. AIRSHOW 2006 (22ND-23RD JULY 2006) Derrick Lang gave an excellent presentation on the 2006 Airshow. He advised that the stunt day would be on the Saturday with the aircraft display on the Sunday. The website is www.mullofkintyreairshow.com. 8. CAMPBELTOWN AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE ITEMS a) Loganair Ltd – Figures circulated to Group and a copy is attached to this minute for information. b) Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd – Derrick Lang intimated that annual figures had increased. The CAA is to carry out the annual safety audit this week. Derrick also advised that the Department of Transport would visit on the 2nd May; this is like an annual MOT. New regulations are being considered such as100% whole baggage searching. The new air ambulance was discussed with a few teething troubles being sorted out. c) Defence Estates – No report. Allan Muir hopes to attend the next meeting to update the Group on RAF Machrihanish. It was agreed to write to Douglas Cowan AIE to invite him to attend in respect of this item. 9. FARMING REPORT/INITIATIVES It was reported that Fergus Younger has taken up the position of Agricultural Development Officer and Mary Ackroyd is now the assistant to the Rural Business Ring Manager based at the Rhoin Farm. 10. TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURESTARBERT/A83/CAR PARKING It was noted that there is a serious shortage of car parking in Tarbert, which is having a knock on effect on trade. Councillor John McAlpine advised the Group that he is still pushing this matter forward. It was reported that Transerve are to spend £1 million a year on the A83. Page 2 of 4 11. WRITTEN REPORTS FROM COUNCIL SERVICES, JOB CENTRE PLUS, ARGYLL COLLEGE, JAMES WATT COLLEGE AND A.I.E. Council Services – Maryanne Stewart raised the issue of disabled parking in Main Street. Donnie McLeod advised he hoped to have some clarity this week then plans should be put forward. Jobcentre Plus – There are currently 99 Males and 31 Females unemployed. This decrease is mainly due to seasonal work. Argyll College – Copy of the report is attached to this minute for information. James Watt College – John Semple advised that there would be no job cuts at present at James Watt College in respect of Campbeltown. A.I.E.- Figures for January, February and March on recent business grants are attached to this minute for information. 12. TOURISM/LEISURE INITIATIVES/KINTYRE WAY Joan Inglis intimated that the year-end figures on visitor enquiries were almost the same as the previous year with Campbeltown slightly up and Tarbert slightly down. This is mainly due to not as many bus tours stopping in Tarbert. Joan advised that VisitScotland is establishing a knowledge base system, which would enable Tourist Centres to access details relating to other places. Events in Kintyre and surrounding areas have been very successful in their bids for funding from the VS Challenge Fund. A Tourist Centre worker from Dunoon attended Tartan Week in New York. It was agreed that the Group would write a letter of thanks to James Fraser as a result of his retirement. Kintyre Way – The opening date for this is now the 12th August. Councillor Donald Kelly thanked Joan Inglis for her attendance and update. 13. SCOTTISH WATER REPORT George Lyon MSP advised the Group that he has formed a Strategic Committee for Scottish Water issues, which consists of Scottish Water, Argyll & Bute Council, Argyll Builders and Housing Associations. 14. A.O.B. Maryanne Stewart advised the Group that a Voluntary Sector Forum has been set up meeting 4 to 6 times a year. There will be an Open Day on Wednesday 3rd May 2006 in the Kinloch Hall at 10.00 a.m. Councillor Rory Colville suggested that we invite the newly formed Kintyre Express along to a future meeting of the Kintyre Initiative Working Group. 15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Monday 12th June 2006 at 10.00 a.m. in the Town Hall, Main Street, Campbeltown. Page 3 of 4 SEDERUNT SHEET KINTYRE INITIATIVE WORKING WORKING GROUP 24 APRIL 2006 Name Organisation Donald Kelly Chairman, Councillor - Argyll & Bute Council Kevin Williams Argyll & Bute Council A. McKinlay Argyll & Bute Council J.C. Martin Campbeltown Community Council Rory Colville Argyll & Bute Council Ian y. Macintyre Tarbert & Skipness Community Council Donnie McLeod Argyll & Bute Council Joan Inglis Visitscotland John McAlpine Argyll & Bute Council George Lyon M.S.P. Argyll & Bute Maryanne Stewart ACVS Susan Paterson Southend Community Council Sheena MacAlister East Kintyre Community Council Derrick Lang H.I.A.Ltd Linsay MacPhail Argyll & Bute Council Deirdre Forsyth Argyll & Bute Council Mark Rae Campbeltown Courier John Semple DBAG Page 4 of 4 .