MONTHLY STAFF REPORTS

Project Officer's Report April 2009

Project Officer’s Report April 09

Redevelopment Project
BLF & HIE: Neil Gerrard intends to visit us for regular (eg. monthly) meetings through the next year, starting in May.

Highland Council:
Meeting took place with Andy MacKay and Ian Hargrave of HC on 19th March.
We are to contact them again during lead contractor tender reporting period (around mid May?) at which point likely project costs will be clearer than they are now from the existing estimated budget. It may be worth asking HC for a large grant rather than a banking facility.

Social Investment Scotland: We are progressing a loan application with SIS, since being turned down by Charity Bank. Information requested has been sent.

Further information has been sent to the Trusthouse Foundation to support a grant application. We should hear back within 6 weeks.

Claims: First ERDF claim has now been made, for around £6,000. Second will be in July.

Bank account: Redevelopment account now exists. We have received cheque book and pay-in book.

Other stuff:

HIE Growth Plan: We expect a further meeting to be arranged with Anne Sutherland and Neil Gerrard in May.

Lankelly Chase: They have recently begun new grants programmes including ‘Local People, Local Places’, aiming to support local organisations to achieve lasting positive social change. Capital and revenue grants up to £50k are available. Capital grants include for adapting existing buildings that support long term sustainable development of organisations, with priority given to more remote rural areas. However the 6 month expected period between application and decision is likely to rule out a capital grant application for the lodge itself, as works will be well underway before a decision. We could possibly apply for the log building project under capital grants, or could apply for a revenue grant towards DM’s salary.