DEVELOPMENT MANAGER'S AND PROJECT OFFICER'S MONTHLY REPORTS

Development Manager's Report October 07

Development Manager’s Report

Prepared for AF Board Meeting on 11th October 2007



Housing

I was not able to attend the HSCHT AGM on Sat 29th due to prior commitments but our apologies were tendered.
Additional names and details of people interested in affordable housing have been collected and sent to HSCHT to supplement those collected at the Housing Surgery. Further names are still being collected I believe.

Renewables

I attended meeting on Marine Renewable Energy in Ullapool on 24th September with an Assynt.Biz Director hosted by the Wester Ross Alliance. There were presentations by Scottish Renewables (copy of slides available from DM) and by Crown Estates. All marine renewables are regarded as “emerging technologies”, all are a long way off (even using established wind turbine technology only 5 out of 18 licences granted in 2002 have been built) and all are much more expensive than alternatives and very heavily dependant on the higher ROCs rate.

Lodge

See Adam’s PO report.
Meeting with representative of HICEC
Meetings with wood-chip boiler suppliers

Boathouse

Everything up and running OK – occupants all content.

Stalking/Venison/DMP

Our Stalking tenant has achieved a much lower cull than expected, though our own efforts very successful. With two weeks of the Stag season to go I anticipate that we will achieve our agreed cull and will hopefully meet the elevated target requested by SNH for Drumrunie.
On occasions as circumstances have demanded we have brought in additional stalkers to supplement our own. Accommodation has been provided in the Boathouse and the DM’s cottage.
We currently have one Trainee stalker and are pleased with his progress.

SNH

I and two Directors met with representative of SNH on 2nd October to inspect the WGS site at Drumrunie corner. Representative of FCS was unfortunately unable to attend as originally planned. Regeneration success and growth rates of past plantings were examined, the location of active and extinct wood ant nests were recorded, fence lines inspected, checked for condition and damage noted. The weather held fine and exceptionally pleasant and informative day was had by all with an almost unlimited supply of venison sandwiches.

Forestry Commission

Nothing to report

JMT

A JMT Trustee expressed his pleasure over improved effectiveness of JMT contribution resulting from Mick Blunt now working on specific projects from home rather than attending Board meetings. For this to continue to be effective the Board must identify in advance further projects for Mick to take on.

SERPID / SEERAD

We await announcement of the opening of the consultation phase for the new Rural Development Plan (RDP) and the opportunities that new “Tier 3 Land Management Contracts “might offer.
The Foundation should investigate the possibility of LFA entitlement on the estate and other land management/farming support.

Land Management
Livestock

I and two Directors met on 25th September with a local crofter, and representatives of SAC and NWHCP. Opportunities and options for a Community Livestock Project were discussed. It was felt by all that irrespective of the obvious benefits to the habitat and land management activities of the Foundation, there was potential to generate greater community involvement in the Foundations activities, the opportunity for people particularly young people to learn about integrated land management and livestock production, the possibility of being able to increase the supply of locally produced meat, to provide an employment opportunity and perhaps, hopefully make a modest profit. An estate review and/or feasibility study would be the first step in developing this potential project, with some fact finding visits to established producers.

Field Club

The Chairman and I met with 5 members of the Field Club on 3rd October with regard to Woodcock shooting. A very useful discussion took place and a lot of common ground agreed. The precise area and nature of the Field Club’s concern was identified and a solution proposed. A report of the meeting has been sent to the Field Club for their agreement.

Elphin School

All the required information has been sent to HC – We await a decision.

Inveruplan

Our compromise offer sent to the agent has been passed to the trustees of the Glencanisp & Drumrunie Deer Forest Trust – We await a response.
The valuer has visited the land and we have made written representation concerning factors we believe to be material to the valuation of the land – we await the valuation figure.
Highland Council are ready to instigate a community ballot to determine support.

Conferences and Courses Etc

• HICEC 3rd Annual Conference and Networking Event 15–17 Oct, Sleat, Isle of Skye.

The Walled Garden

We await confirmation of the current tenant’s intentions

Project Scotland

Don Campbell to present

Communications
E-mail & Internet

We now have a new ISP. The set up is not without some remaining niggles but these will be addressed shortly I hope.
The new Domain name (purchased by the DM for AF) - assyntfoundation.org.uk - is working well and will potentially give complete continuity of email addresses etc irrespective of ISP.

Assynt Foundation Surgery

Perception is everything – We have agreed to the erection of AF notice boards in the village (thanks to CB and Inverpark Stores for one location). However we can still do more. To this end it has been suggested that we trial the running of a regular Foundation Surgery – similar in principal to those run by MSPs & MPs in their constituencies. If this will dispel the accusations that the Foundation is not transparent then it is worth trying.

Finances

Accountants have produced draft annual accounts for both AF and A.Biz. These are being reviewed and commented upon and may thus be subject to amendment. The accountants still have this year’s bank statements so a complete update on our financial position is not possible, but a provisional position will be circulated separately before the Board Meeting.


Mark Lazzeri
7th October 2007