Cittaslow Linlithgow

Steering Group Meeting

Wed 18 Feb 2009, Lowport Centre

Present: Phil Murray(Chair)(PM),Jean Long(JL),Jim Hay(JH) Ken Richardson(KR) John Masson(JM),Tom Kerr(TK)Alan Young(AY)

1.Apologies: David Tait, Rona Gold, Michael Bennett

2.Minutes of Previous Meeting

Approved, no Matters Arising

3.Updates

• Funding-PM advised that current balance stands at £1380.00; after discussion it was agreed that PM should investigate the possibility of applying for project funding to B+Q 40^TH anniversary One World Awards Scheme; confirmation also received re availability of £2000 funding from Town Centre Management Group to allow purchase of intial stockof Linlithgow Bag for Life- PM to liaise with Craig McCorriston(WLC) re transfer of funds. Action:PM
• Linlithgow Slowfood-AGM scheduled for 18 Feb- report of outcome/programme for 2009 will be available for Steering Group info in March
• Cittaslow UK-PM advised that issues of governance/financial transparency raised at last Cittaslow UK board meeting have been raised with Cittaslow International, supported by Germany and Norwegian delegates also, as a result of which updated set of accounts have been issued
• Plastic Bags Campaign-PM submitted a guidance note/strategy document for the retailers survey, as previously requested. It was agreed that in the light of the overwhelmingly positive public response to the initiative that instead of the original lengthy questionnaire proposed, retailers should simply be presented with the key points from the public response and asked the simple question if they are prepared to participate. Retail outlets had been divided into manageable blocks and volunteers were allocated specific blocks, to be surveyed in the period up to 24 March. PM confirmed that Soroptimists Group had confirmed their support for the initiative and their willingness to participate in the retail survey- he would liaise with Soroptimists contact to team up their volunteers with CLSG volunteers and would circulate copies of briefing to all participants. Action: PM/All volunteer surveyors. PM to obtain art work from WLC re revised town logo for inclusion on bag, and also to liaise with Ann Daly re costs, timescales for delivery etc. Action:PM
• April Springclean- (Cittaslow combined with Burgh Beautiful)-Date agreed for Saturday April 25^th- liaison with Burgh Beautiful co-ordinator required re venues/ volunteers/insurance etc necessary Action:PM/JL

4.Draft Constitution

PM explained a Draft Constitution paper put together using other Cittaslow UK towns models, and invited comments. Broadly welcomed by Group as a significant step forward, subject to some adjustments e.g.

• Some realignment of objectives
• Inclusion of some form of equality/all inclusive statement regarding potential participants
• Adjustment of composition numbers to allow individual participation not just groups
• Some commitment to work towards recognised charitable status

PM welcomed this input and undertook to bring a suitably amended version to the next appropriate meeting for approval. Action:PM

5.Cittaslow Linlithgow Awareness Campaign

PM advised that in the context of the various ‘parallel’ initiatives being discussed (e.g. potential role of CSLG in Capital Budget Projects clearance, input to Linlithgow Aspires etc) he had not as yet progressed the Awareness Campaign. As soon as there was some clarity in relation to these aspects work to raise local awareness would be put in place. NB Subsequent to the Feb meeting, PM in liaison with Catriona Staddon of Linlithgow Slowfood agreed that the opportunity of the free place at the Community Council’s Getting to know You event on April 4 at the Academy should be taken up as a first step in this process of awareness raising. Any volunteers to help staff the stall 10am-4pm please get in touch with PM……………..Action All

6.Capital Budget Projects Meeting Feedback

JH summarised outcome of earlier meeting of a range of local groups emphasising their collective willingness to subsume their own individual aspirations into more focused expenditure for the good of the town as a whole, and their collective agreement that Cittaslow Linlithgow given its breadth of interest in a wide range of initiatives would be well placed to take on a ‘clearing house ‘ role in assessment of potential benefits of projects before they are submitted to WLC for funding.

There were some expressions of concern within the Group about Cittaslow taking on this role, which had also been echoed outwith the group(e.g. John Aitken’s e mail response to the proposal) while TK emphasised that as part of the democratic process the final decisions on submitted projects would rest with the Linlithgow Area Committee. JM expressed concern that there were too many groups getting involved at pre project stage rather than progressing projects to delivery stage, and it was agreed that there was a need for clarification of the roles of the Town Centre Management Group the Area Committee Cittaslow and Linlithgow Aspires in this context.

TK expressed his concern that to date so few projects had actually been put forward for consideration, and advised that a meeting of all prospective project applicantS had been scheduled for March 10 in order that progress can be made, without which there is a risk that available funds will be lost to competing communities

Action: Outcome of March 10 meeting and implications for any formal role for Cittaslow Linlithgow to be fed back to next meeting Action:TK

7.Progress of Linlithgow Aspires Initaiative

In a brief report it was indicated that the Linlithgow Aspires co-ordinator was undertaking an investigation of local groups/individuals who might wish to be involved in the process of evolving a long term development strategy for Linlithgow. Interested parties have been asked to register their interested by the end of March

Action: DT/JH/PM to keep group informed of progress

8. Any Other Competent Business

• KR indicated that Linlithgow Rugby Club was potential host for events/photo sessions which might provide a stalls opportunity to increase awareness of Cittaslow
• JL expressed concern that we are not making enough of the Cittaslow Linlithgow website/blog opportunity and that there needs to be a review of how it should best be maintained/supervised/content made up to date and meaningful. Potentially we should tap into John Aitken’s experience of how best it should be re launched , having first ascertained from MB to what extent his new commitments will allow him to remain actively involved in its development. Action: PM to sound out MB initially

9.Date of Next Meeting

Wed 18 March 7.30pm Lowport Centre

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