Argyll and the Islands LEADER Local Action Group

LAG member training and meeting 18/01/08

Cameron House, Oban.

Initial summary by Executive Committee member, Nic Walsh, Oban Community Council.

Morning Session:

Linda Knox training.There was quite a lengthy initial discussion around the function of the LAG in   supporting community groups in project development and funding applications. There was also a good deal of debate surrounding the demise of Argyll & Bute CVS and how that might be supported and the £90K from the Scottish Government be brought to Argyll & Bute (along with the promised Big Lottery match funding).

Discussion then went on to responsibilities of LAG members ‘wrt’ confidentiality, spreading the word etc and about how applications would be considered. It was agreed that members would read and comment upon applications, and raise any questions, in advance of the meetings.

The trainer is preparing a short report on protocols agreed, which should be available towards the end of next week.

Afternoon session: Business

The status of the bid for the new tranche of funding was outlined: it is at the committee stage and no time-scale is available but the Scottish Government suggest that we work on the assumption that it will kick in for the new financial year.

Funding applied for remains £3.8m LEADER with an additional £3.8m convergence. Due to the number of bids the LEADER funds are likely to be squeezed but the LAG were informed that there was more convergence money available and agreed to increase the bid (probably to £4.5-5m).

Jane Fowler was reinstated as Chair and Eleanor McKinnon was voted in as Vice-chair.

It was agreed that the LAG would be a single committee (no North and South LAG as with LEADER+) and that a quorum would be ¼ of the membership, with 50:50 split between agency and community representatives.