Cittaslow Linlithgow Steering Group

2.12.09 Lowport Centre

Present: Phil Murray (Chair), David Tait, Ken Richardson, Provost Tom Kerr(part)

AGENDA

1.Apologies

2.Minutes of Previous Meeting

3.Matters Arising

4.Cittaslow Linlithgow Financial Position

5.Options for the Way Forward

6.Any Other Business

1.Apologies: Jean Long, Alan Young

2.Minutes of Previous Meeting

Accepted as an accurate record

3.Matters Arising

All covered by subsequent Agenda items

4.Cittaslow Linlithgow Financial Position

PM reported as follows:

(1) the subscriptions deficit of £3000 for 2008 and 2009 previously notified to Group members had, after further discussion with Fed Bonham at Cittaslow Mold, been modified to £1500, Cittaslow Linlithgow having paid for its 2008 subscription alongside payment of the assessment fee in June 2008

(2) Notwithstanding this welcome adjustment, the principle of our straitened financial circumstances remains unchanged- payment of our outstanding 2009 subscription of £1500 would leave us with a working balance of only £228

(3) The International Committee of Cittaslow International at their November meeting had deferred consideration of the Cittaslow UK proposal to amend the subscription allocation arrangement, until the meeting scheduled for Korea in June 2010

(4) At he same meeting, the Committee also gave some preliminary consideration to ‘reducing the current moratorium on subscription payments from the existing 3 years to 2’- PM reported that he was unaware, until reading the note of that meeting circulated by the UK delegate, that such an arrangement even existed

(5) An approach from Berwick Cittaslow who share Linlithgow concerns as to how to raise the funds to pay the 2009 subscription

Subsequent discussion on how to approach this concern included

· the possibility of a further approach to WLC for support-DT expressed serious reservations on this option(Tom Kerr in joining the meeting at a later stage confirmed that in the current climate WLC funding on the required scale is highly unlikely for the foreseeable future)

· Seeking clarification re the subscription moratorium arrangement referred to above with a view to Cittaslow Linlithgow taking this option in relation to the 2009 subscription request. Action: PM to approach Douglas Ritchie for guidance

· Submitting a proposal to the York Cittaslow UK Board meeting whereby a token subscription for 2009 be made (£200-300), reflecting the lack of input from Cittaslow International/Cittaslow UK in 2009, as a result of the various internal upheavals/disruptions. Such a payment would confirm continuing Linlithgow commitment to principles/objectives of Cittaslow, while simultaneously buying time for us to try and source alternative funds in 2010 sufficient to secure future viability. Action: PM to draft and submit such a proposal at York meeting on 16.1.10

· Liaise with Perth Cittaslow, the most significantly funded Cittaslow UK member to learn lessons from them on effective fund raising. Action: PM to arrange meeting pre-York with Douglas Ritchie; DT/KR to attend if available.

5.Cittaslow Linlithgow-Options for the Way Forward

All subsequent discussion is obviously conditional on a satisfactory outcome in relation to the funding issues outlined above-if they cannot be resolved, subsequent elements will have to be reviewed.

PM reported a favourable response from Linlithgow Climate Challenge to the prospect of joint working/activities starting with participation in either of the events marking the Copenhagen Conference (PM to attend Wave demo in Glasgow/Tom Kerr to attend tree planting event at Beecraigs both on 5.12.09)

Ken summarised current progress on his/Jean’s/Alan’s deliberations regarding the preparation of a straightforward aide memoir on what Cittaslow is all about, for use when approaching other local groups. This was generally well received and together with a draft paper entitled ‘Why support Cittaslow’ tabled by PM will form the focus for further refinement, prior to an initial meeting with LCC. Action: KR/JL/AY

6.Any Other Business

(1)-PM advised of an approach by Cittaslow International seeking participation by member towns in the European Commission’s Covenant of Mayors, specifically committing their communities to achieve 20% CO2 emissions reduction by 2020.

Action: PM to approach Rona Gold in her capacity as WLC Climate Change Officer to develop this proposal, possibly in consultation with Linlithgow Climate Challenge

(2) PM reported that Cittaslow UK as part of the co-ordinated events programme for Cittaslow UK towns had suggested the weekend of 23-26 April for a co-ordinated Springclean/litterpick type event. Action: PM to liaise with Ron Smith new chair of Burgh Beautiful and relevant WLC staff.

7.Date of Next Meeting-to be confirmed- probably after Cittaslow UK board Meeting in York 16.1.10 PM attending

Cittaslow Linlithgow Steering Group

Lowport Centre

4.11.09 - 7.30pm

Present: Phil Murray (Chair), Jean Long, David Tait, Ken Richardson

Agenda

1.Apologies

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting

3.Matters Arising

4.Reports/Updates

5.Cittaslow Linlithgow-The Way Forward

6.Ay Other Business

7.Date of Next Meeting

1.Apologies: Provost Tom Kerr

2.Minutes of Previous Meeting (29.9.09)

Agreed as an accurate record

3.Matters Arising

All covered by subsequent Agenda items

4.Reports/Updates

-Funding

PM advised that our balance currently stands at £1686, with outstanding cheques for additional bag orders, totalling £68.80, still to be paid in. While superficially healthy, PM cautioned that in due course, this figure will be significantly depleted by a request for Cittaslow UK annual subscription.

PM also reported that Cittaslow UK proposal for a licence fee type arrangement whereby national organisations would retain 60% of the fees set by Cittaslow International, with the remaining 40% being passed to the parent International organisation, had been formally submitted, with support from the Nordic countries, for consideration by the Cittaslow International Finance Committee at the end of November.

Action: PM to keep colleagues informed of funding discussion implications

-Cittaslow UK

In addition to the funding issue referred to above, PM also advised that Cittaslow UK

· Are in the process of revising/updating their website and have asked member towns to look at their elements on the Cittaslow UK website and to ensure that it has appropriate up to date content. Action: PM to copy relevant request to DT to give him an opportunity to update as appropriate

· Are seeking the views of member towns in relation to accreditation issues relating to (1) prospective member communities in Central /South America, whose financial position prevents them from meeting all Cittaslow criteria but, with assistance might allow them to commit in principle to working towards Cittaslow objectives Action: Agreed and (2) to the idea of smaller communities within a larger urban area (beyond the current 50,000 population ceiling) seeking Cittaslow status for the local, smaller community. Action: Further discussion necessary

· Are looking to encourage member towns to work with local climate challenge groups in any promotional. information events being staged to coincide with the opening of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December. Action: PM to approach LCC too ascertain what they are proposing to mark this event and to offer Cittaslow Linlithgow’s support/endorsement as appropriate

-Linlithgow Bags

JL had undertaken a partial revisit of High St retailers in early October which had prompted a series of new/ re-orders which was encouraging- she aims to cover the outstanding outlets as and when her schedule permits. Action: JL

PM advised that, disappointingly, there had been no response to his written approach in late September to the various local branches of national retailers. Action: PM to make face-to-face contact with as many Managers as possible to try and persuade them to stock Linlithgow Bags: Action: PM to meet with local Managers one-to-one.

5. Cittaslow Linlithgow-Way Forward

-Benchmarking

PM advised that he had been in touch with Mike Chapman who as financial adviser to Sturminster Newton Cittaslow group (the most recent Cittaslow UK member town) is currently co-ordinating an analysis of how existing UK member towns are resourced/funded/constituted/supported, primarily as a way of assisting Sturminster Newton to learn lessons from others, rather than duplicating mistakes from the past/trying to re-invent the wheel. He is happy to share the outcomes/findings of this research exercise with ourselves in due course. Action: PM to liaise with Mike Chapman

-Cittaslow/Tourism Development-KR/JL tabled paper outlining their initial thoughts of how Cittaslow Linlithgow might usefully link to various tourism initiatives within Linlithgow, on the basis of the various priorities identified under this heading in the original Cittaslow assessment process. Particular emphasis was given to the potential for the marketing of individual guided tours utilising resources such as St Michael’s volunteers/Historic Scotland/British Waterways Ranger Services, the revised Heritage Trail booklet/audio guides. KR/JL stressed that this is a work in progress and will continue to work to refine their findings further. Action: KR/JL

-Links with Other Groups

While the potential for a Cittaslow ‘context’ to be set in relation to this sphere of activity, in consultation with the relevant ‘active’ organisations, was recognised by the Group, DT strongly urged that, on the basis of the resources available to Cittaslow Linlithgow, both in terms of personnel and finance, we need to focus our efforts to establish links with other active organisations. He suggested that pragmatically, the most logical target group was Linlithgow Climate Challenge Group, whose interests clearly overlap with many of the Cittaslow objectives, and which is well established in the town with a high profile, and a not insignificant level of support from amongst the wider community. Any other strategy of coincidental approaches to a range of organisations would dilute the impact of Cittaslow Linlithgow, in seeking to providing a community wide context for the work of so many local groups- he stressed the need for realism on the part of Cittaslow Linlithgow in what we attempt to achieve, and urged Group members to reflect on the fundamental reasons for the lack of momentum since achieving Cittaslow status. PM thanked DT for expressing his view in such a forthright manner. His comments provoked much thought and lengthy discussion amongst those present, the agreed outcome of which included:

Actions: (1) KR/JL will continue to refine their thinking on how the Cittaslow approach could most effectively be integrated with current/planned initiatives amongst those bodies/organisations actively involved in tourism development within Linlithgow

(2) It was agreed that in any approach by Cittaslow Linlithgow to existing community groups (whether tourism/Climate Challenge or others) we need to have a clear statement of what Cittaslow Linlithgow is all about and what it can bring to any partnership with such community groups. PM to undertake preparation of Draft Statement for consideration at next meeting.

(3) Utilising the wider Cittaslow UK initiative in relation to events coinciding with Copenhagen (see Para above) PM to approach LCC to offer Cittaslow Linlithgow support for appropriate local events, and at the same time to indicate to LCC that Cittaslow Linlithgow is keen to enter a more formal partnership working arrangement with LCC to help achieve our mutually compatible objectives

-Website Update

DT advised that he had now included back numbers of Cittaslow Linlithgow Minutes on the website and indicated that he is happy to maintain this role, provided relevant input/links/articles etc are forwarded to him for inclusion, as his commitments do not allow him time to generate the relevant material. The necessity for such inputs was acknowledged by the Group, it being acknowledged that an out-of date website speaks volumes for the vitality of the host organisation. Action: All to consider what inputs they could usefully make.

6.Any other Business

There being no further items of business, PM closed the meeting at 9.15pm with a reminder of the next scheduled meeting on Wednesday 2 December at 7.30pm in the Lowport Centre