DEVELOPMENT MANAGER'S AND PROJECT OFFICER'S MONTHLY REPORTS

Project Officer's Report November 07

Project/Marketing Officer’s Report October 07

Lodge Redevelopment

Following a meeting with our architect, it has become clear that we have no choice but to postpone at least some of the project until after the summer. The suggestion that has been made is that the lodge internals definitely be postponed to a start date in late October / early November. Our architect suggested leaving the woodchip boiler installation until then also, so as to keep it under the responsibility of the lead contractor. It should still be possible for groundworks to begin in February, and the log construction to begin in May (dependent on building warrant being through by then.

Boiler Installation
One of our 3 options for boiler installation was one for which pipework, plumbing and electrics would be managed by AF rather than by the installer. It is important that we decide how we would want this to fit in with the lead contractor, if we go for that option. If we didn’t want this AF-managed work under the lead contractor’s contract, then we wouldn’t have to leave it until the autumn.

Lodge Redevelopment Funding

GCA
The GCA lottery application went before the GCA panel on Wednesday 14th November. The panel have requested further information, including about the economic situation in Assynt. The officer dealing with our application will provide this further information to them. Some of the information requested, eg. evidence of support for the project, evidence of lack of competition with other accommodation providers, is being requested from us. We will now have to wait until January for a decision, however information is being requested from us on an ‘urgent’ basis.
It has been suggested to us that evidence of match funding is particularly important, and that we should aim to have as much confirmed match funding in place as soon as possible. The suggestion is that if there is not sufficient match funding evident to the GCA panel then the application would be in danger of being rejected.

Match Funding:
The bid to HIE for around £250,000 is still unconfirmed.
We should hear back from a charitable trust in the next week or so regarding an application for a little under £100,000.

A meeting was held recently with a HICEC representative.
They suggest applying for the maximum £100,000 in one single application (separating into two had been considered previously). This would include the boiler, the boiler house, central heating, pipework from the boiler to the lodge, the wood storage and processing area, and also pipework to and central heating in the office.
We hope to have the application ready for the December 19th board meeting.

It has been suggested that we should consider hiring somebody to complete the application. We have informally discussed this, and very informally approached somebody locally, who was unavailable. It is suggested we ask others for advice on which professionals we could approach, and go on from there.

Scottish Arts Council
I approached the Arts Council to ask if they can match fund their lottery money against GCA lottery money. They said yes, so I’ve begun filling in application form. I contacted a representative at HI-Arts who was helpful. It takes 10 weeks minimum for them to decide, and potentially 4 weeks to hear back from them after a decision. This application and the required supporting information may be another couple of week’s work yet.
Scottish Biomass Support Scheme
New round expected to start early in the new year, but probably too late to be a part of a full confirmed funding package ready in January.
ERDF
We have registered for the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), which is a possible source of match funding. It is looking like we may have to wait for the next round of applications, in the spring, but we can still fill in the initial pre-application form now.

Bank Loan facility
Due to other commitments taking up our time, we will be aiming at a panel meeting of either 10th December, or possibly the one following that.
We still aim to secure a loan facility of up to £200,000. This will largely act as an overdraft facility allowing us to proceed with the project, then reduce the amount we need to borrow as more funding arrives. We will of course need to be confident, at the time of deciding to proceed, that we can pay back the full amount borrowed, in case unconfirmed funding we are hopeful for does not materialise.

Lodge Bookings
One local two-night party booking coming up on 14th/15th December.
Some enquiries for New Year week and other weeks.

Stalking
Hind cull is going okay. Various guests booked through the season. Two French clients out recently spoke little to no English. In future it will have to be made clearer beforehand to agents that basic English (or ideally Kylesku Scots) is essential.

Website/Marketing
Many enquiries are coming in for the lodge through the website. We now need to advertise all available weeks for 2008.

Communications
It’s been suggested we could ask local tradesmen regarding making noticeboards.

Other stuff
Use of AF assets: Mark and I met with a local artist interested in work space and some suggestions were raised concerning temporary space. We await a written proposal.