Cittaslow Linlithgow

Steering Group Meeting 16.12.08

Lowport Centre 7.30pm

Present: Phil Murray(PM)(Chair),David Tait(DT), Tom Kerr(TK), Jim Hay(JH) Alan Young(AY), Ken Richardson(KR)

1.Apologies: John Masson (JM),Michael Bennett,(MB),Jean Long(JL)

2.Minutes of Previous Meeting 17.11.08

These were accepted as an accurate record , and there were no specific matters arising.

3.Updates

• PM advised that the only outgoings in the previous month related to room hire costs; he anticipated that Cittaslow Linlithgow’s annual fee to Cittaslow UK forwarded on request in mid summer should be cashed in the near future, the company restructuring having progressed significantly. Action: PM to monitor
• Slowfood Linlithgow –no report in MB’s absence
• Plastic Bags Shoppers Survey carried out at 2 locations(Cross/Regent’s Square 6.12.08. Initial analysis suggests significant support for objectives of minimising plastic bag use; further analysis to be reported to next meeting, together with programme for retail outlets survey/ alternative bag identification etc Action: PM to report further
• Cittaslow UK- next meeting of all UK designated Cittaslow towns scheduled for York 17.1.09-agreed that PM should attend on behalf of Linlithgow and report back to next Steering Group Action: PM to attend

4.Cittaslow Linlithgow – The Way Forward

PM reminded the group that following the November discussion, it had been agreed that KR/AY would co-ordinate preparation of an analysis of Areas of Focus for Cittaslow to become actively involved, for discussion, and that DT/JH would report on their further thinking/investigations re the possible umbrella role for Cittalow Linlithgow following the SUN meeting

KR explained the thinking behind his analysis, in terms of Key Actions, priority areas, where the gaps are in terms of Linlithgow’s assessment in relation to each of the 6 key criteria, and highlighted prospective individual champions for each of these issues, who could be responsible for trying to co-ordinate improvement in existing scores

General discussion ensued, some of the key points arising therefrom included:

• The need for an awareness campaign to encourage new blood into the CL Steering Group- at the moment we are talking to ourselves
• We need to focus on what needs to be done, not on what has been done or is already being implemented- the latter brings no added value to the initiative
• TK sees a role for CL as a ‘clearing house’ by means of which the impact of a whole series of ongoing initiatives, in the context of how compliant they are with Cittaslow objectives, can be assessed; other groups and agencies actively pursuing such individual projects/initiatives would have to be made aware of the agreed Cittaslow vision, in order that they might buy into such a process/become Cittaslow ‘associates’? given the significant role of WLC in implementing a range of Cittaslow relevant initiatives, it might be worth considering expanding WLC representation on CL to include as well as JM, IN HIS town Centre Manager role, but also Rona Gold in her Locality Planning role. Action: TK to investigate possibility of additional WLC representation
• It was agreed that all would give further consideration to KR/AY’s initial analysis with a view to this being finalised at the earliest possible stage in 2009.
• JH asked that the next meeting should aim to agree a Vision/Mission/Culture statement for Linlithgow, based not on any additional expansive paper but on a series of key bulletpoints to be suggested by individual Steering Group members in advance of the January 09 meeting (max one side of A4), the agreed statement in due course to form the basis of the proposed Awareness Campaign directed at organisations/individuals within Linlithgow Action:All
• In relation to the development of the prospective umbrella role for CL, DT advised that while some progress had been made in terms of further meetings with WLC, issues of resources/awareness remained to be addressed effectively- the initiative remains ‘work in progress’ and will be reported on at future meetings. Action: DT/JH

6. Any Other Business

There being no additional items of business, the Chair thanked all members for their contribution over the year and closed the meeting at 9.25pm, with good wishes for the festive season.

7.Date of Next Meeting

Monday 19 January 2009 at 7.30 pm Lowport Centre(not 12 Jan as originally intended).

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