2nd Annual General Meeting of Sleat Community Trust
In Ardvasar Village Hall
On Thursday 1st September 2005
At 7.30pm
Apologies:
Norman Gillies, Rhoda MacGillivary, John MacDonald, Douglas Graham and Pete Chapman sent their apologies.
Attendance:
Donald MacGregor, Henry Mains, Duncan MacInnes, Calum Robertson, Charles Culbertson, Janet MacLeod, Angus Venters, Eileen Armstrong, Robert Arnold, David Ashford, Donella Beaton, Archie Campbell, Joan Campbell, Brigit Chaplin, Patricia Cottis, Mark Entwistle, Richard Fowler, Katy Fraser, Jean Gillies, Sam Graham, Katy Graham, Claire Hannah, Ron Johnstone, Bridget La Trobe, Betty Lund, Rae MacEachern, Janet MacGregor, Polly MacInnes, Donnie MacKinnon, Colleen MacKinnon, Flora MacLean, Una MacLeod, John Norman MacLeod, Gwen MacQuarrie, Gary Mahon, Sandra Masson, Christine Murphy, Effie Anne Nelson, Mairi Nicolson, Sir Iain Noble, John Pressly, Ann Prior, David Ritchie,Neil Robertson, Betty Robertson, Patricia Venters, Pat Walsh.
1. Address by the Chairman:
The Chairman opened the meeting by thanking all those present for attending, he thanked his fellow directors and the Secretary for the work they had done since the last AGM and finally gave a vote of thanks to Ian Graham for counting and recording the result of the ballot for the election of the new directors.
He went on to say that the meeting would be conducted under two categories, the formal business followed by an informal presentation.
2. Treasurer's Report:
The Treasurer gave a brief summary of the accounts for the year 1st March 2004 to 31st March 2005 audited by Mann Judd Gordon, Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors of 26 Lewis Street, Stornoway.
The accounts were accepted by a unanimous show of hands.
3. Appointment of directors:
The Chairman announced that the directors elected by a ballot of the membership to replace Christine MacEachern and Angus Venters were Nicola MacKay and Rhoda MacGillivary. He congratulated the successful candidates and offered thanks and commiserations to the unsuccessful candidates.
4. Special Resolution:
To consider and if thought fit to pass the following Resolution which will be proposed as a Special Resolution: -
THAT the Memorandum and Articles of Association, a copy of which has been deposited at the Registered Office of the Company and signed with reference to this Notice, shall be adopted as the Memorandum and Articles of the Company in place of the existing Memorandum and Articles.
The Chairman called for a show hands in favor of the resolution and for those against. The result was 54 votes to 0 in favor of the resolution.
5. Re-appointment of auditors; authority to directors to determine auditor's remuneration:
The Chairman asked for a show of hands and the motion was carried.
6. Conclusion of the Meeting:
The Chairman thanked those who attended and closed the formal proceedings at 8.05 pm.
Sleat Community Trust Presentation at the Annual General Meeting
Duncan gave a presentation on the work carried out by the Trust over the past year.
In 2004-2005 Sleat Community Trust fulfilled what the SCT hoped to do in its first year. It achieved this by lots of hard work and an immense amount of learning and understanding new information; and by examining everything that has come its way.
The Trust needs and has support from the community. It has begun to investigate and use the enormous amount of expertise in the community.
Trust Membership
There are 338 individuals and 9 Community Groups out of a population 620 in Sleat
Community Council
SCT works closely with Sleat Community Council. There are no joint members (and so no conflicts of interest) and there is clear delineation of roles.
SCT Administration
SCT employed a community resource worker (Henry Mains), who gathered copious amounts of background information.
SCT has established protocols for the Community Trust and reviewed the Articles and Memorandum of Association.
Ardvasar Hall
SCT has motivated the re-vitalisation of the hall and rented office space. The Hall committee is to be congratulated in its work.
Community links
SCT was part of the reception of a party from Galway, joined in Skye-wide 'Cadispa' discussions and visited the Gigha community wind turbine project.
Sports
SCT has helped establish 'Ceann Loch' ~ Kinloch Development Company ~ which is supported by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig; Community Council; Community Trust; Sleat and Strath Football Club; and is liasing with Broadford Community Trust.
Renewable Resources
SCT has received updates from Sleat Energy
SCT is encouraged to look at a feasibility study for community owned wind-turbines, independent of any developments from Sleat Energy, on rented land or owned, at a site such as Kinloch or Tormore forests or in a Township.
No decisions have been made, but it would be neglecting its duties if this concept were not fully investigated.
Forestry
SCT has established a forest development group for Tormore, Brae Ord and Kinloch, to investigate all sorts of community use: footpaths, timber productions, walks, renewable energy in a turbine and biomass.
It has had discussions with Forest Enterprise and Lord Sainsbury's representatives
Care in the Community
Set up a Care-in-the-Community group headed by Anne Prior and Pat Walsh.
Affordable Housing
SCT responded to the Housing Association proposal for housing on land owned by Clan Donald Lands Trust at Kilbeg and was unanimous, along with the Community Council, that this land has potential use for the development of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, University of the Highlands in 2007 and should remain free for such use on the Local Plan.
While housing is an important issue, long-term support of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig as Sleat's largest employer is fundamental to the sustainable development of Sleat.
SCT has undertaken a Housing Needs survey with Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association. Results indicate no great desire for block development. SCT explored all types of housing - land, land for rent, houses to buy. This has opened up possibilities of other sites and types of housing and land availability on private land and common grazings.
Filling Station
SCT has opened discussions about future of filling station
Tourist Office
SCT is working with Sleat Business Group to create a new TIC for Sleat.
Fearann Eilean Iarmain
SCT has held discussions about housing and land; the proposed Distillery and associated community integration.
Highland Council Local Plan
SCT has responded to the Local Plan, and suggested the development potential of new areas of land.
Members Information
SCT has produced 3 newsletters and set up the Website.
Community Plan
SCT collated and published the Trust's Community Plan. This is a summary of the community's suggestions and desires to date and will be used as a basis for funding applications. It has been acclaimed as a role model for others communities. It is, of course, already out of date!
Summary
The current four most important areas of Sleat's Development are: