Minutes 4 November 2009
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