Minutes - Monday 3rd March 2008
Cittaslow Linlithgow
7th Meeting of Steering Group
7.15pm Monday 3.3.08
Visitor Awareness Centre
Present: Phil Murray/Jim Hay/Ken Richardson/David Tait/John Masson/Michael Bennett/Douglas Ritchie
1.Apologies: Jean Long/Catriona Staddon
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting: Approved as an accurate record
3. Matters Arising: None
4. Funding Update: PM advised that current balance stood at £2250; while superficially healthy, he cautioned that significant expenditure was likely in near future e.g Assessment Day costs/initial Cittaslow Membership fee/any additional consultancy work required etc, therefore there can be no complacency, and indeed, longer term funding strategy must form part of any future Business Plan
Action: Agreed-Business Plan Sub Group to investigate options
5. Linlithgow Slowfood Convivium Launch Report
In CS absence,MB advised that launch event at Marynka on 18.2.08 was very successful with approximately 40 attendees; programme for future Slowfood events/suppers etc for forthcoming period was agreed by new Committee, to include promotion of Linlithgow Food Festival as part of Rotary Fete at Rugby Club on 14 June. Chair expressed appreciation for CS efforts to date and encouraged all Committee members to support Slowfood events programme whenever possible.
Next Slowfood Suppers at Taste on Tuesday 4 March and Tuesday 1st April
Action: CS/MB to develop programme, with support from Cittaslow as appropriate
6. Cittaslow Assessment Day Planning/Bid Submission Procedure
DR reported that while Cittaslow UK’s initial informal consideration of the submission document had not revealed any major issues of concern, there was still difficulty fixing a mutually convenient date for the formal assessment visit. After discussion it was agreed that the timescale precluded the Committee’s original preference of week beginning 17 March; as an alternative DR to suggest Friday April 25th as Steering Group preferred date.
Action: DR to negotiate on behalf of Committee and advise all once date agreed
As part of Supporting File submission Chair to provide DR with copies of letters of endorsement for Linlithgow bid
Action: PM to supply copies to DR
Regarding Assessment Day programme provisional programme was outlined as follows:
• JH could, subject to date, provide accommodation for assessors
• VAC would form appropriate ‘hub’location for day’s programme
• Programme to include brief relevant presentations from Steering Group reps/supporter organisations
• Town Centre Walkabout: Conservation Area/Palace/Peel etc
• Specific Site Visits e.g. Recycling facility, Linlithgow Bridge eco school, Bonnytoun Farm/Canal Centre/Donaldson’s?
• Slowfood Buffet Lunch back at VAC for Assessors/Steering Group reps/WLC reps
• Post Lunch Q+A session Assessors/Steering Group Reps/WLC reps
Steering Group members are asked to consider practicalities of this provisional programme; any suggestions for amendments welcome.
Once Assessment date is confirmed, key venues, locations and personnel to be notified of schedule/requirements etc
Action: All to consider proposed programme and suggest appropriate amendments; letters requesting participation/co-operation in Assessment, invitations etc to be drafted by PM ready for distribution as soon as date confirmed.
7. Publicity/Communications Strategy
MB advised that flyer stands had been delivered; it was agreed that MB will source stickers to include Cittaslow logo to be included on stands, for distribution to venues previously agreed, together with A 3 Cittaslow poster(s) as appropriate. MB displayed Draft posters and invited members to e mail any suggested modifications
Action:MB/All
MB is also in discussion with John Aitken webmaster of www.linlithgow.com regarding Cittaslow web page and associated blog facility. All Steering Group members invited to make full use of blog for notification of relevant events, articles of interest re Cittaslow/Slowfood etc. While MB happy to manage the facility, its success will depend on steady input, which initially will be the responsibility of the Steering Group
Action: MB to keep Steering Group advised of progress on blog development/procedures for access etc. All to consider prospective input
8.Cittaslow Business Plan Sub Group Report
PM advised that the Sub Group (PM/DT/JH/KR) had met twice to consider approach to development of Business Plan for post accreditation stage.While this is still very much ‘work-in-progress’ some key points have already emerged:
• Triple role identified for Cittaslow Linlithgow – to lead on certain projects/initiatives, to support ongoing initiatives/projects which fit within the overall Cittaslow context, and to lobby for introduction of initiatives where a need is identified and no project has yet addressed the issue in question
• By its very nature Cittaslow may have the potential to act as some form of ‘umbrella’ organisation around which a whole series of existing initiatives might gather for mutual support/endorsement, but such a role would require careful ‘diplomacy’ and recognition of other Groups’ talents and abilities
• Maximising access to and leverage of support funding will be of key importance in future development of Cittaslow Linlithgow- so far as further approaches to WLC/LEEL, any such requests must be fully justified
• To raise Cittaslow Linlithgow profile post accreditation, Sub Group agreed that a high profile, relevant, achievable project should be identified- the idea of a campaign to make Linlithgow plastic bag-free received broad support – PM to research further
Action: Observations of Steering Group on the above key points, suggestions as to additional issues to be addressed, to be passed to PM. Sub Group will continue to utilise the period between now and Assessment Day to develop Business Plan ideas, an outline of which might also form part of Assessment Day presentations.
9.Any Other Business
None raised
10.Date of Next Meeting
Monday 31st March 2008 at 7.15pm in VAC