Caithness CWS - Caithness Partnership - Newsletters

Caithness Partnership – eBulletin August 2005
Welcome to another edition of the ebulletin which a way of circulating information that has come in to the Partnership office. If you wish to include any items in the next issue please get in touch. We will try to make this service as useful to you as we can. If you have difficulty accessing any of the information off the web we can get you a paper copy. Please forward the bulletin within your organization if that would be useful.

Inside this issue:

Caithness & Sutherland Peatlands Strategy

Problem Drug Misuse in Highland

Communication, not conflict: using communication to encourage considerate shared recreational use of the outdoors

Highland Council consultation on planning framework for Dounreay Site Restoration

Funding news

· Futurebuilders Scotland Investment Fund

· Scottish Communities Action Research Fund

· EU LIFE Programme

Events

· The Enterprise Facilitation Challenge (2 places booked for Caithness Partnership representatives)

· Business in the Parliament (conference)

· DTA (UK) Annual conference “Tools for Transormation”

· Developing Collaboration within the Woodfuel Supply chain (seminar)

· Scottish Politics Explained (conferences – 3 events)

· New Directions in Social Enterprise

· Future of the Scottish Tourism Industry (discussion and debate)

· Regenerating Scotland – Partnerships for communities (conference)

· Business Tourism (annual conference)

· Making Knowledge Work – International conference on building sustainable communities through partnership

· Biomass Production: Energy from Forestry & Agriculture (conference)

Caithness & Sutherland Peatlands Strategy

A new strategy for the long term management of the peatlands of Caithness
andSutherland has been developed by a host of organisations and individuals
through the LIFE Peatlands Project, to take account of the conservation,
community and economic needs of the area. Publication of the strategy follows a public consultation carried out earlier this year to take account of the
viewsof local people, particularly farmers, crofters and land owners.
A key aim of the strategy is to provide a clear plan for the future of all
the peatlands in Caithness and Sutherland, within and outwith designated areas, by
promoting good land management and co-ordinated action. An underlying
theme isto see how the community and economic benefits of the peatlands can be
maximised, without damaging the interest of the peatlands themselves. Copies of the strategy can be downloaded from the LIFE Peatlands Project
website at www.lifepeatlandsproject.com .

Leadership & Management Programme 2005-6

The Caithness & Sutherland Enterprise Leadership & Management Programme 2005-06 will help your develop beyond your horizons to achieve exceptional results for your business. Delivered by leading experts, the development programme covers all aspects of Leadership & Management, including Financial Management, Specialist Skills, Buying & Selling and Legislative Considerations. Courses are delivered in a range of different ways, from short half day courses to longer programmes over several months.

For more information or to request a brochure, please contact Donna Booth on 01847 805213 or donna.booth@hient.co.uk

Problem Drug Misuse in Highland

A report for the Highland Drug and Alcohol Forum that presents the national and local estimates of problem drug misuse for the year 2003 showed there were 898 known problem drug users resident in the Highland area (0.81% of the population aged 18-54). Prevalence of drug misuse varied across the area with the East highlands having the highest prevalence (1.18% 15-54 year olds) and Caithness among the lowest (0.22%). Although drug misuse appeared to be stable in Highland the rates for Scotland were shown to be in decline. For a copy of the full report email caithnesspartnership@btinternet.com.

Communication, not conflict: using communication to encourage considerate shared recreational use of the outdoors

Persuasive communication aims to influence the attitudes of people towards and issue and therefore influence the way they behave. This document from SNH is part of a complementary suite of material giving guidance on management of land for public access. It’s an excellent guide to improving communication and avoiding conflict ... If you think it might come in handy, copies are available from SNH by emailing pubs@snh.org.uk

Consultation on Highland Council planning framework for UKAEA Dounreay’s Site Restoration Plan

The Highland Council has prepared a document to translate the decommissioning and restoration proposals described in UKAEA's Dounreay Site Restoration Plan into a land use planning framework for the timely, safe and environmentally acceptable decommissioning, restoration and after use of the Dounreay site. Comments on the proposals are invited in writing by 12th September. To view the document follow this link http://www.ukaea.org.uk/dounreay/bulletin96.htm. You will also find information on the consultation for the NDA Strategy – although the consultation period is longer so no need to rush!

FUNDING NEWS

LIFE 2005-06

The European Commission has published the closing dates for LIFE 2005-06 applications.

· LIFE-Nature projects aimed at conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora must have the applications sent to the UK authorities by 30 September 2005. This first call will allocate at least 80% of the available funding. A further call will be launched in the autumn of 2005 to support the preparation of plans for the period 2007-2013.

· LIFE-Environment Demonstration projects which develop innovative and integrated techniques and methods affecting environmental and sustainable land-use plans (especially in urban and coastal areas), promote the sustainable management of ground and surface water, minimise the impact of economic activities (through clean technologies), promote the prevention, reuse, recovery, and recycling of waste, and/or reduce the environmental impact of products, must have applications in by 30 September 2005.

· LIFE-Environment Preparatory projects that develop new environmental actions and/or update environmental legislation and policies, must be sent to the Commission by 30 November 2005.

· LIFE Third Countries projects covering technical assistance that contributes to the environmental sector and policies in eligible third countries bordering on the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas must have applications in by 31 October 2005.

Full details of the application guidelines and processes are available from the Europa website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/life/funding/index.htm

^{Futurebuilders Scotland Investment Fund

Aimed at medium to large size social
economy organisations this fund invests in organisations with a track
record in delivering public services and is for established social
economy organisations that already earn part of their own income by
selling their services to the public, private or voluntary sector. They
must not be completely dependent on grant or fundraising income and want
to become more successful social businesses.
Communities Scotland investment funds
will be part of an overall funding package. Where the proposal is for
capital investment there is an expectation that loan finance will be
part of the package and that Communities Scotland investment will make
an obvious measurable difference to the way the organisation earns its
own income. Closing date for applications 30th September 2005. Go to

http://www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/webpages/cs_008885.hcsp#TopOfPage

Scottish Community Action Research Fund

A fund to support community-led
research. Local groups can use the funding to carry out their own
research, develop their knowledge and skills which help to improve their
communities. The research conducted will provide evidence on community
engagement with local level programmes and the achievement of
community-identified outcomes, visions and priorities for change. An
ongoing programme – no closing date currently. For more information see
http://www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/webpages/cs_006402.hcsp#TopOfPage

^{^{EVENTS

Monday 29th August Thistle Hotel
Inverness 1.30 to 5pm.:
The Enterprise Facilitation Challenge – presented by the
Sirolli Institute which runs the highly successful business process
called Enterprise Facilitation. This event sponsored by Scottish
Executive, Scottish Enterprise, HIE and Communities Scotland and is
being promoted by Allan Wilson MSP and Malcolm Chisolm MSP. Places are
free and 2 places are being held provisionally for members of the
Partnership so get in touch with us very quickly
please if you wish to go. See the website for more details
http://omnipix.co.uk/client/emm/

8th & 9th September Edinburgh. “Business
in the Parliament” - Two day
conference for business on growing Scotland’s economy. Includes
discussion groups, ministerial question time and a debate on the
Enterprise & Culture Committee’s inquiry on business growth. Individual
MSPs are invited to nominate a business person from their constituency
to take their place in the parliamentary chamber. Interestingly there
are also 7 places available (one for each Green MSP including Highland)
for social enterprises and interested social businesses should contact
Mark Ballard

mark.ballard.msp@scottish.parliament.uk.
More information about the conference can be found at http://www.holyrood.com/conference.asp

18th – 20th September Glasgow Thistle
Hotel – Development Trusts Association Scotland Annual Conference “Tools
for Transformation” –
ideas, methods, materials and resources, all distilled form years of
practical experience and all designed for those delivering community
enterprise. For more information go to http://www.dtascot.org.uk/newsandevents.cfm

23rd September, Tomintoul. “Developing
Collaboration in the Woodfuel Supply Chain”
A seminar aimed at those involved or interested in bioenergy and the
opportunities presented by emerging markets for wood heat. It will focus
mainly on the advantages of collaborative working in establishing
effective supply chains, using case studies from Scotland and
Scandinavia and will include a visit to a woodfuel harvesting site.
http://www.northernwoodheat.net/htm/events.php

26th September Edinburgh: “The Scottish
Parliament Explained”
– a one day seminar which aims “to break some of the bad habits of
Westminster” and make the Scottish Parliament more accessible. Similar
events on 31st October “The Scottish Executive Explained”
and on 28th November “Scottish Local Government Explained”
can be viewed at http://www.holyrood.com/conference.asp

29th September, The Green House,
Beechwood Park, Inverness. “New Directions in Social Enterprise”
– theme is “social enterprise is proving that socially excluded
communities and individuals can lead change” - a half day event which
includes providing information on new sources of financial and other
types of support for the social enterprise sector. Organised by EDAS
(Economic Development Association Scotland) more details can be viewed
on

www.edascot.org.uk/event.php?id=27

4th October Highland Council Chambers,
Inverness : “Future of the Scottish Tourism Industry”
– a half day event which will discuss the future of the Scottish tourism
industry under the leadership of VisitScotland’s Integrated Tourism
Network. The seminar will provide an opportunity to hear from
VisitScotland’s Director of Network Operations about how the new
structure is working and also get a view from the trade. Discussion of
the Tourism Information Centre network will also take place. To join the
debate contact

ebone@edascot.org.uk

4th October 2005, Royal
Museum Edinburgh - “Regenerating
Scotland – Partnerships for Communities”
– a one day conference. The regeneration of Scotland’s deprived
communities is key to the Executive’s goal of breaking the cycle of
deprivation, as well as raising personal and community ambitions.
Community regeneration can be a potent economic driver for Scotland, as
well as a major contributor to achieving social justice and sustainable
development. The conference will examine both urban and rural
regeneration in Scotland and will discuss the forthcoming Planning White
Paper

http://www.holyrood.com/nav/conference/planned.asp

Tues 11 October Glasgow
Hilton Hotel, Scottish
Enterprise Business Tourism annual conference –This
year’s programme has been developed around feedback from previous
participants and other Scottish business tourism professionals,
incorporating areas which are important to you and will help your
business to prosper in this challenging market. Sessions on
branding and winning business through partnership, for
example Warsaw Destination Alliance which was formed in February 2003 by
a group of leading international hotels in Warsaw. Membership now
includes associate businesses such as airlines, car rental companies,
banks, restaurants, galleries, and museums. The group’s goal is to
develop Warsaw as a preferred destination for business and leisure
tourism, promoting the city as a perfect location for conferences and
meetings.

http://www.scotexchange.net/events_conferences/scottish_enterprise_tourism_development_programme/be_inspired/business_tourism_conference_05.htm

Tuesday 25th to Friday 28th October
Stirling University, Pathfoot Building “Making Knowledge Work”
International Conference on Building Sustainable Communities
through partnerships on place management, social capital and lifelong
learning. - Organised by PASCAL an academic partnership
interested in research and evaluation work, applied and theoretical,
concerning policy and programmes for sustainable community development,
especially involving a 'whole of government' (or linked-up) approach .
PASCAL exists to learn, improve and exchange knowledge about ways of
planning that succeed in building and supporting social capital and
lifelong learning together with sustainable prosperity. The broad themes
of the conference are those of PASCAL, namely place management, social
capital and learning regions.http://www.obs-pascal.com/docs.php?doc=86

Monday 21st Tuesday 22 November, 8 Acres
Hotel, Elgin. “Biomass Production: Energy from Forestry and Agriculture”
– A conference, jointly hosted by Northern WoodHeat, North Sea Pro Bio
Energy, Pro Bio, H&I Woodfuel Development Programme and H&I Community
Energy Company. This event aims to bring together agricultural and
forestry interests and lay the foundations for an integrated approach to
the development of a rural biomass industry. Speakers will include
provincial and national government officials and technical experts from
throughout Europe. See http://www.northernwoodheat.net/htm/events/scotland.php}}}