Coigach Community Company
Draft Minutes of the Meeting Held at 8pm on 29th November 2004
Present: Davy Garret, Peter Haring, Alison Hitchings, David Heaney, Reiner Luyken, Peter Muir, Bill Mullins (Chairman), Gordon Smith (Minute Secretary), Bill Wilder (Financial Director)
1 Apologies: A Macaskill, A Macleod, N Riddle, Neil Ross.
2) Introductions: Alison Hitchings was introduced as the new Director from Coigach Community Council. The chairman then informed the meeting that the Articles of Association had been accepted by the minister as being in accord with the Land Reform Scotland Act (2003) Part 2.
3) Nominations: Bill Mullins proposed Alison as vice chairperson, seconded by Davy Garret. Riener Luyken and Peter Muir objected and proposed the dismissal of B Mullins from the position of chairman and nominated A Hitchings as chairperson. The procedure, of the meeting, was then disrupted by, R Luyken refusing to acknowledge the authority of the chair. At this point D Garret left the meeting, which was suspended for 45 minutes. The meeting then resumed with an agreement that the board would remain as presently constituted with the possibility of revision when we are cleared to proceed.
4) Conflict of Interest: None Declared.
5) Minutes of the last Meetings: The minutes of the public meeting were amended to show that under item 1 the members were asked to resolve that post- codes should be added to the memorandum. The draft minutes of the board meetings of 1/11/04 and 5/11/04 were accepted.
6) Drumrunie Wider Community Poll: The board were informed that to now the wider poll has shown that 12% of the population of Elphin are in favour of our application (10% being the minimum requirement).
7) Application Update: A letter of 24/11/04 was received confirming acceptance of the application of Coigach Community Company. Our application is now pending and on the inter net and a copy has been sent to the Vestry's solicitor.
8) Application Enhancement: This was completed prior to submitting the application forms.
9) Consultants Brief: The chairman reported on discussions with A MacAskill of the Assynt Foundation and Neil Ross. For reasons of economy Neil Ross has agreed that the consultants will do a combined brief as soon as possible. It has been hoped that Neil Ritchie of Highland Council Community Transport Initiative would advise of this subject but he was unable to attend following closure of the A835 due to an accident. A wide ranging discussion followed and R Luyken agreed to co-ordinate inputs from the community and consultants. It was further agreed that a notice would be placed in the next Ullapool News inviting additional input from the community.
10) Publicity: It was confirmed that dates of meetings and minutes would be made public.
11) Dissolution: It was confirmed that if the bid is unsuccessful the company will be dissolved but 75% of members are required to be present for this to be agreed.
12) Discipline: An extensive discussion took place.
13) Coigach Community Company Strategy: Strategy will develop from the outcome of the feasibility study and future protocols of decision making, will be agreed at that time. It was agreed that all future business communications by email should be copied to the entire group.
14) A.O.C.B.:
a) It was suggested that a new company name such as Drumrunie Forest Co. might sound more inclusive but this will be decided if the bid succeeds.
b) The treasurer agreed to submit an application for a start up grant and to open bank accounts.
15) Date of Next Meeting: To be decided.