Tiree Community Development Trust
Board Meeting
Date
Time
Venue
Present
11th April 2017
7.30PM
Trust Offices
Trust Directors: Ian Tainsh, Sarah le Roux, William Angus MacLean, Martin Finnigan, Ann MacDonald,
Neil MacPhail, Craig Smith
Staff: Shari MacKinnon, Louise Reid, Paul le Roux (Item Four Only), Stephanie Cope (Item Five Only)
Apologies: John Bowler, Fiona Malcolm, Isabella MacKinnon, Rosaleen Campbell
1.
Welcome and Apologies

The Chair welcomed all present, apologies were received from FM, IMK, JB and RC.
2.
Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were proposed by AMD and seconded by MF.
3.
Matters Arising and Previous Actions

It was noted that the board of directors are keen to see AW complete a form of managerial/HR training.

WAML and AW are awaiting feedback from the An Talla committee regarding a date to discuss future plans for
An Talla including the renovation work they are seeking Windfall funding for.

It was noted that the new Sage software is not fit for purpose meaning at present the old software is being
used. This is currently under review.

AW has fed back to West Highland Housing Association regarding the proposal discussed at the previous
meeting.

A verbal update on group assets took place at the previous Tirisdich Còmhla meeting. The minutes of this
meeting will be made available shortly, once approved, via the TCDT website. AW/LR to action

A piece has been placed in An Tirisdeach regarding the Chapel of Rest project. An update will be given at the
next meeting. AW to action.
4.
Growth Plan Update
 PLR joined the meeting at 7.45pm, a brief update on the production of the new Growth Plan was given, the
main points are as follows:

The review committee for the draft growth plan are the finance subcommittee. It was noted however
some specialist board input may be required for such projects as harbours etc.

The document has been drafted for review with version 5 currently under review by the subcommittee.

At present the Growth Plan is on track for delivery.

There are five condensed themes within the document based on the strategic response from Ironside
Farrar. The five themes are - Tirisdich Còmhla, Sustainable Economic Growth, Community
Empowerment, Community Housing Initiative and Promoting Tiree.

There are various key dates within the plan delivery these are as follows:
 11th April - introduction to board
 14th April - circulated for wider board review
 25th April - finalise plan with whole board
 9th May - final review, document published for public consultation
 4th June - reference to final document made at AGM.
 It was agreed that the groups that make up Tirisdich Còmhla (TCB, An Talla, TRD) should have an email sent to
all of their directors, as soon as the draft growth plan is opened up for community consultation, in additional
to any other advertising focussed around the public launch of the 2017 – 2020 Growth plan. However it was
also agreed that this should be done at the same time as the growth plan being made available to the public,
not in advance of it. The wording of the cover letter/email to be agreed by the review committee.
IT/WAML/AW to action.
 WAML gave thanks to PLR for his presentation.
5.
Tiree Ranger Update
 SC joined the meeting at 8.00pm, a brief update of the Tiree Ranger development plan was presented. This
presentation will be circulated to the board members not present at this meeting. SC to action.
 The main points are as follows:

A brief outline was given, regarding the aims, strengths and areas for growth within the Ranger
project.
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Tiree Community Development Trust
Board Meeting
It was noted that the key Ranger service provisions include, 20 events to promote Tiree’s natural
heritage, 5 activities within the curriculum for excellence, and 50 volunteering opportunities totalling
200 hours of volunteer time.

The core duties of the Ranger service include, engaging with guests and the community, supporting
education and administration (Tiree Ranger Services, Tiree Access Steering Group, Croft site Camping
Scheme)
It was noted that events can be a part of the required voluntary hours, as well as community group meetings
etc.
There are some wildlife tourism events in the early stages of planning, these include some links with the
Hynish Centre.
It was suggested to investigate a ‘Spring Watch’ type of event for Tiree whereby people could tune into live
footage of the island for a period of time.
It was noted that there are opportunities to donate to the Ranger Service through the Nàdair Thiriodh website.
It was suggested that there could be more representation of the project on the TCDT website.
It was also suggested that the delivery of John Muir Award would contribute towards voluntary hours and is
also a part of the curriculum for excellence. SC confirmed that investigation into the possibility of delivering
this has already begun.
FM has previously expressed an interest in joining the management group for the Ranger Project. It was
agreed FM would attended the next line manager meeting and be included in any correspondence. SC to
Liaise with AW.
WAML thanked SC for attending, it was noted that the board were impressed with progress made so far.
It was agreed staff would present development plan updates in a rolling basis, the rota would consist of Tiree
Ranger update, Youth Worker update, Music, Culture and Communications update and Governance and General
Manager Update, in addition to this AW will also have a five-minute slot at each board meeting to discuss any
matters arising.
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WAML gave thanks to SC for her presentation.
6.
Conflict of interest

SLR declared a conflict of interest under item 7 of the agenda Windfall Fund – Tiree Surf Club.

MF declared a conflict of interest under item 7 of the agenda Windfall Fund – An Iodhlann.
7.
Windfall
Enquiries

Several enquiries were received and discussed. LR to feedback to enquirers.
Applications

Tiree Surf Club

An application was received from Tiree Surf Club for £467 to go towards ISA Level 1 instructor
Course, this application was approved and Tiree Surf Club will receive £467 to go towards this
project.

Tiree Association

An application was received from Tiree Association for £10,500 to go towards their project Tiree
Song Book CD, this application was deferred pending additional finance information including
information regarding profits made from CD sales. SMK/AW to feedback.

Tiree Community Council

An application was received from Tiree Community Council for £1,840 to go towards their project
Tiree Flag Competition. It was agreed to meet with the Tiree Community Council and discuss areas
where potential savings could be made and to discuss future finances. SMK/AW to arrange meeting.

An Iodhlann

A revised application was received from An Iodhlann for £10,000 to go towards Written in the
Landscape. In 2015 An Iodhlann were awarded £10,000 from Tiree Windfall Fund towards a three year
project that will open up the archives of the Campbell family at Inveraray Castle, which will provide
Tiree with access to historic maps, census returns, letters, emigrant lists and estate management
documents over the last 340 years. This award was conditional and dependant on confirmation of
match funding for the rest of the project. The project has now been scaled down from a 3 year to a
18 month project. This application was approved and An Iodhlann will still receive £10,000 to go
towards this project.
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Tiree Community Development Trust
Board Meeting

Tiree Music Festival

An application was received from TMF for £3,000 to go towards Toilets and Showers 2017. It was
agreed to ask TMF for more information on this project before making a decision. SMK/AW to
arrange meeting.

Tiree Music Festival

An Application was received from TMF for £3,000 to go towards Community Village- Eden Court
Workshops. It was agreed to ask TMF for more information on this project before making a decision.
SMK/AW to arrange meeting.
8.
Finance Report

IT presented the finance report for January, February and March, it was noted that due to ongoing issues with
the finance software, the finance reports remain in the old format. The new software is currently under
review.

It was noted that the required software may be slightly more expensive, however it is expected that this will
still be in keeping with the administration budget available.
9.
Staff and Projects Reports

Staff reports were previously circulated and discussed.

Hynish

There is a meeting scheduled to take place on Friday 14th April with Hebridean Trust representatives.

It was agreed this meeting would take place at Baugh Church at 11am. WAML, IT and AW (plus
potentially one other director) will attend.

It was agreed to re-circulate to those attending the meeting, the response sent to Hebridean Trust by
TC Young regarding the draft terms of heads. This will be the official position of TCDT at this
meeting. LR/SMK to action.

Staff Code of Conduct Paper

AMD previously circulated a paper regarding a staff code of conduct.

All present agreed to accept the staff code of conduct paper with the view that this would now be
incorporated into all staff documentation.
10.
Tirisdich Còmhla Update

WAML gave a brief update of the previous Tirisdich Còmhla meeting. Overall the meeting was once again
positive, with the main focus being the financial benefit of the groups joining and sharing such costs as admin,
legal, insurance etc. AW has begun a more formal investigation into this possibility. The Community Growth
Plan was also briefly discussed.

It was noted that the minutes of these meetings would be circulated and published on the TCDT website.

The date of the next meeting is to be confirmed. AW to confirm this with Ian Gilles/John Bottomley, one of
whom it was agreed shall chair the next meeting.

It was noted that there may be potential WAML may not be on the board of TCDT after the AGM, WAML noted
however he was willing to remain on the Tirisdich Còmhla post AGM to ensure continuity within the group, if
this was deemed acceptable by the committee.
11.
AGM

As stated in the memorandum and articles the three directors who have been longest in office since they were
last elected or re-elected must stand down, but are able to re-stand for election. As between persons who
were last elected/re-elected on the same date, the question of which of them is to retire shall be determined
by lot. The longest standing directors are JB, RC, SLR, WAML and CS.

Names were then drawn from a hat. Those identified as standing down are Sarah Le Roux, William Angus
MacLean and Craig Smith. All of those standing down have stated that they will stand for re-election.

SMK presented an action plan for the upcoming AGM, it was agreed to provide tea and coffee for the
attendees. It was also agreed to change the time to 2.00pm.

It was noted that the deadline for director nominations is 11am – 26th May.

While the two current co-opted directors posts are to be considered after the AGM, it was noted that there is
a remaining space for a third co-opted director that could be filled should the Trust require some specific
expertise. It was suggested to target people in the community with specific skills. Architectural expertise was
discussed specifically due to the nature of the main projects that TCDT are currently engaging in.

It was suggested to investigate ‘good practice’ methods for board members. It was suggested Development
Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) or Office of Scottish Charities Register (OSCR) may be good sources of
information. The importance of fresh ideas and outlooks were expressed by all present. It was agreed to
discuss this at the next board meeting. AMD/AW to action.
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Tiree Community Development Trust
Board Meeting
12.
AOCB
Fergus Ewing

It was noted Fergus Ewing is visiting the island in May, various members of the board expressed
interest in meeting with him, it was agreed to try and arrange this. NMP to action.

Roddy McCuish

It was noted that Roddy McCuish has been in touch regarding the possible asset transfer of the public
toilets in Scarinish to TCDT. It was noted that there is some funding available for the asset transfer
and for refurbishment. WAML/AW to investigate further through communication with TCC.

13. DONM

It was suggested the date of the next meeting be Monday 8th May. LR to confirm with directors.

There being no other business the meeting was closed at 11pm.
Summary of Actions
ACTION
Update board on Chapel of Rest
Draft covering email for Growth Plan circulation
Feedback to Windfall submissions
Circulate Development Plan and presentation
Arrange meetings with TMF/TCC re windfall submissions
Circulate Response from Mark Ewing re: Hynish
Investigate ‘good practice’ for directors
Contact Fergus Ewing to arrange a meeting
Investigate the asset transfer of Scarinish Toilets
Confirm Date of Next Board Meeting
Confirm Date of Next Tirisdich Còmhla Meeting
COMPLTED BY
Andy Wright
Ian Tainsh and William Angus MacLean
Louise Reid
Stephanie Cope
Shari MacKinnon, Andy Wright
Shari MacKinnon
Andy Wright, Ann MacDonald
Neil MacPhail, William Angus MacLean
William Angus MacLean
Louise Reid
Andy Wright
4
ACTION DUE
Next Board Meeting
Next Board Meeting
Friday 14th April
Friday 14th April
Monday 17th April
Friday 14th April
Next Board Meeting
Next Board Meeting
Next Board Meeting
Friday 21st April
Next Board Meeting